Salahaddin University-Erbil

College of Engineering

Software and Informatics Dept.

Volumes of Revolution

Prepared By:
Shad Abdulsamad Asaad

2020-2021
 Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………. P.3

Finding the volume…………………………………………………………………. P.3

Disk Method ……………………………………………………………………………P.4

Washer Method……………………………………………………………………… P.8

Shell Method …………………………………………………………………………P. 13

References……………………………………………………………………………… P. 19

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 Introduction
A solid of revolution is a three-dimensional object obtained by rotating
a function in the plane about a line in the plane. The volume of this
solid may be calculated by means of integration. Volumes of revolution
are useful for topics in engineering, medical imaging, and geometry.
The manufacturing of machine parts and the creation of MRI images
both require understanding of these solids.

Finding the volume

You can use the definite integral to find the volume of a solid that is
obtained by revolving a plane region about a horizontal or vertical line
that does not pass through the plane. This type of solid will be made up
of one of three types of elements—disks, washers, or cylindrical
shells—each of which requires a different approach in setting up the
definite integral to determine its volume.

Disk Method
If the axis of revolution is the boundary of the plane region and the
cross sections are taken perpendicular to the axis of revolution, then
you use the disk method to find the volume of the solid. Because the
cross section of a disk is a circle with area π r2, the volume of each disk
is its area times its thickness. If a disk is perpendicular to the x-axis,
then its radius should be expressed as a function of x. If a disk is

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perpendicular to the y-axis, then its radius should be expressed as a
function of y.
The volume (V) of a solid generated by revolving the region bounded
by y = f(x) and the x-axis on the interval [ a, b] about the x-axis is

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If the region bounded by x = f(y) and the y-axis on [ a, b] is revolved
about the y-axis, then its volume (V) is:

Note that f(x) and f(y) represent the radii of the disks or the distance
between a point on the curve to the axis of revolution.

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Example 1 (Disk Method):
Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded
by y = x2 and the x-axis on [−2,3] about the x-axis.

Because the x-axis is a boundary of the region, you can use the disk
method.

Figure 1

Solution:

The volume (V) of the solid is

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Example 2 (Disk Method):
Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded
by y=ex between x=2 and x=3, generated by rotating the curve around
x-axis

Solution: Figure 2

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Washer Method
If the axis of revolution is not a boundary of the plane region and the
cross sections are taken perpendicular to the axis of revolution, you use
the washer method to find the volume of the solid. Think of the washer
as a “disk with a hole in it” or as a “disk with a disk removed from its
center.” If R is the radius of the outer disk and r is the radius of the
inner disk, then the area of the washer is π R 2 – π r 2, and its volume
would be its area times its thickness. As noted in the discussion of the
disk method, if a washer is perpendicular to the x‐axis, then the inner
and outer radii should be expressed as functions of x. If a washer is
perpendicular to the y‐axis, then the radii should be expressed as
functions of y.

The volume (V) of a solid generated by revolving the region bounded

by y = f(x) and y = g(x) on the interval [ a,b]
where f(x) ≥ g(x), about the x‐axis is:

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If the region bounded by x = f(y) and x = g(y) on [ a,b], where
f(y) ≥ g(y) is revolved about the y‐axis, then its volume (V) is:

Note again that f(x) and g(x) and f(y) and g(y) represent the outer and
inner radii of the washers or the distance between a point on each
curve to the axis of revolution.

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Example 1 (Washer Method):
Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region
bounded by y = x 2 + 2 and y = x + 4 about the x‐axis.

Because y = x 2 + 2 and y = x + 4, you find that

The graphs will intersect at (–1,3) and (2,6) with x + 4 ≥ x 2 + 2 on [–1,2]

Figure 3

Solution:
Because the x‐axis is not a boundary of the region, you can use the
washer method, and the volume (V) of the solid is:

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Example 2 (Washer Method):
Calculate the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by the curve y=2x−x2 and the x−axis about the y−axis.

Solution.
Find the points of intersection of the parabola with the x−axis:

2x−x2=0, ⇒x(2−x)= 0 ⇒x1=0, x2=2.

As the region is revolved about the y−axis, we express the equation of

the bounding curve in terms of y:

y=2x−x2,⇒x2−2x+1=1−y,⇒(x−1)2=1−y, ⇒x−1=±√1 − 𝑦 ⇒x=1±√1 − 𝑦

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The signs “plus” and “minus” correspond to the two branches of the
curve:

x= g(y)= 1− √1 − 𝑦

x= f(y)= 1+ √1 − 𝑦

Figure 4

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Given that the variable y varies from 0 to 1 and using the washer
method, we find the volume of the solid:

Shell Method
If the cross sections of the solid are taken parallel to the axis of
revolution, then the shell method will be used to find the volume of the
solid. If the cylindrical shell has radius r and height h, then its volume
would be 2π rh times its thickness. Think of the first part of this
product, (2π rh), as the area of the rectangle formed by cutting the
shell perpendicular to its radius and laying it out flat. If the axis of
revolution is vertical, then the radius and height should be expressed in
terms of x. If, however, the axis of revolution is horizontal, then the
radius and height should be expressed in terms of y.

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The volume (V) of a solid generated by revolving the region bounded
by y = f(x) and the x‐axis on the interval [ a,b], where f(x) ≥ 0, about
the y‐axis is:

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If the region bounded by x = f(y) and the y‐axis on the interval [ a,b],
where f(y) ≥ 0, is revolved about the x‐axis, then its volume (V) is:

Note that the x and y in the integrands represent the radii of the
cylindrical shells or the distance between the cylindrical shell and the
axis of revolution. The f(x) and f(y) factors represent the heights of the
cylindrical shells.

Example 1 (Shell Method):

Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region
bounded by y = x 2 and the x‐axis [1,3] about the y‐axis.

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In using the cylindrical shell method, the integral should be expressed
in terms of x because the axis of revolution is vertical. The radius of the
shell is x, and the height of the shell is f(x) = x 2

Figure 5

The volume (V) of the solid is:

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Example 2 (Shell Method):
The region bounded by the parabola x=(y−1)2 and coordinate axes
rotate around the x−axis. Find the volume of the obtained solid of
revolution.

Figure 6

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We can use the shell method to calculate the volume of the given solid.
The region here rotates around the x−axis, so the volume is defined by
the formula

assuming the variable y varies from c to d.

In our case, c=0, d=1, x(y)=(y−1)2, hence:

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References
1-https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/calculus/calculus/applications-of-
the-definite-integral/volumes-of-solids-of-revolution.

2- https://www.math24.net

3- https://brilliant.org

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