1.

Geometric Shape Method <- limited to certain unusual types of solids

2. disc method < can only be used when the volume does not have a hole it must be a
full volume
3. washer method < can be solve only if there is hole in the middle, washer method can
be used anytime, but as the equations get more complex, then it is is harder to use
4. shell method < can be literally used for any type of volume question

I personally use the shell method anytime that I am revolving the region about a line
other than a coordinate axis or in the case of a washer shaped region. Sometimes for
the washer method, we had to solve for x in terms of y. In this case; it was not that hard,
but there are cares where it is not worth it. If it is hard to solve for x in terms of y, then
use the cylindrical shell method. In addition, sometimes it is difficult to use the washer
method when the equation is such as _____________. We need to convert the
equation into ___________ which is overly complex. The cylindrical shell method, on
the contrary, does not have to convert the original to a function of x.

Elementary Calculus: Cylindrical Shell Method." Virtual Institute of Applied Science.

Web. 14 Nov. 2010. <http://www.vias.org/calculus
06_applications_of_the_integral_02_06.html>.

Finney, Ross L. Calculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic. Glenview, IL: Prentice Hall,
2003. Print.

Hockett, Shirley O., and David E. Bock. Barron's AP Calculus. Hauppauge, NY:
Barron's, 2010. Print.