Volumes of revolution 15.2

Introduction
In this block we show how the concept of integration as the limit of a sum can be used to nd
volumes of solids formed when curves are rotated around the x or y axes.

be able to calculate denite integrals
Prerequisites
understand integration as the limit of a
Before starting this Block you should . . . sum

Learning Outcomes Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .
calculate volumes of revolution
allocate sucient study time

briey revise the prerequisite material

attempt every guided exercise and most

of the other exercises
1. Volumes generated by rotating curves about the x-axis
Figure 1 shows a graph of the function y = 2x for x between 0 and 3.

y
6
y = 2x

O 3 x

Figure 1. A graph of the function y = 2x, for 0 x 3.

Imagine rotating the line y = 2x by one complete revolution (3600 or 2 radians) around the
x-axis. The surface so formed is the surface of a cone as shown in Figure 2. Such a three-
dimensional shape is known as a solid of revolution. We now discuss how to obtain the
volumes of such solids of revolution.

y
6
y = 2x

O 3 x

Figure 2. When the line y = 2x is rotated around the axis, a solid is generated.

Try each part of this exercise

Find the volume of the cone generated by rotating y = 2x, for 0 x 3, around the x-axis, as
shown in Figure 2.

In order to nd the volume of this solid we assume that it is composed of lots of thin circular
discs all aligned perpendicular to the x-axis, such as that shown in Figure 3. From Figure 3 we

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note that a typical disc has radius y, which in this example equals 2x, and thickness x.

6
y = 2x

(x, y)

O 3 x

Figure 3. The cone is divided into a number of thin circular discs.

The volume of a circular disc is the circular area multiplied by the thickness.

Part (a) Write down an expression for the volume of this typical disc:
Answer
To nd the total volume we must sum the contributions from all discs and nd the limit of this
sum as the number of discs becomes innite and x becomes zero. That is

x=3
lim 4x2 x
x0
x=0

This is the denition of a denite integral.

Part (b) Write down the corresponding integral.

Answer

Part (c) Find the required volume by performing the integration:

Answer
Now let us do another example.

Try each part of this exercise

A graph of the function y = x2 for x between 0 and 4 is shown in Figure 4. The graph is rotated
around the x-axis to produce the solid shown. Find its volume.

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 y
y = x2
16

(x, y)

x
O 4 x

Figure 4. The solid of revolution is divided into a number of thin circular discs.

As in the previous guided exercise, the solid is considered to be composed of lots of circular
discs of radius y, (which in this example is equal to x2 ), and thickness x.

Part (a) Write down the volume of each disc:

Answer

Part (b) Write down the expression which results by summing the volumes of all such discs:
Answer

Part (c) Write down the integral which results from taking the limit of the sum as x 0:
Answer

Part (d) Perform the integration to nd the volume of the solid:

Answer

Try each part of this exercise

In general, suppose the graph of y(x) between x = a and x = b is rotated about the x-axis, and
the solid so formed is considered to be composed of lots of circular discs of thickness x.
Part (a) Write down an expression for the radius of a typical disc:
Answer

Part (b) Write down an expression for the volume of a typical disc:
Answer
The total volume is found by summing these individual volumes and taking the limit as x tends
to zero:

x=b
lim y 2 x
x0
x=a

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Part (c) Write down the denite integral which this sum denes:
Answer

Key Point

If the graph of y(x), between x = a and x = b, is rotated about the x-axis the volume of the
solid formed is  b
y 2 dx
a

More exercises for you to try

1. When the graph of y(x) between x = a and x = b is rotated around the x-axis,
b
show that the volume of the solid formed is a y 2 dx.

2. Find the volume of the solid formed when that part of the curve between y = x2
between x = 1 and x = 2 is rotated about the x-axis.

3. The parabola y 2 = 4x for 0 x 1, is rotated around the x-axis. Find the volume
of the solid formed.
Answer

2. Volumes generated by rotating curves about the y-axis

We can obtain a dierent solid of revolution by rotating a curve around the y-axis instead of
around the x-axis. See Figure 5.

y(x)

y (x, y)

O x

Figure 5. A solid can be generated by rotation around the y-axis.

To nd the volume of this solid it is divided into a number of circular discs as before, but this
time the discs are horizontal. The radius of a typical disc is x and its thickness is y. The
volume of the disc will be x2 y where y is the thickness of the disc.
The total volume is found by summing these individual volumes and taking the limit as y 0.
If the lower and upper limits on y are c and d, we obtain for the volume:


y=d
lim x2 y
y0
y=c

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which is the denite integral  d
x2 dy
c

Key Point

If the graph of y(x), between y = c and y = d, is rotated about the y-axis the volume of the
solid formed is  d
x2 dy
c

Try each part of this exercise

Find the volume generated when the graph of y = x2 between x = 0 and x = 1 is rotated around
the y-axis.
On the graph of y = x2 , when x = 0, y = 0 and when x = 1 y = 1 and so the limits on y are
the same as the limits on x.

Part (a) Write down the required integral.

Answer

Part (b) Because y = x2 this integral can be written entirely in terms of y. Do this now, and
then evaluate the integral.
Answer

More exercises for you to try

1. When the graph of y(x) between x = a and x = b is rotated around the y-axis,
d
show that the volume of the solid formed is c x2 dy where c = y(a) and d = y(b).

2. The curve y = x2 for 1 < x < 2 is rotated about the y-axis. Find the volume of
the solid formed.

3. The line y = 2 2x for 0 x 2 is rotated around the y-axis. Find the volume
of revolution.
Answer

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3. Computer Exercise or Activity

For this exercise it will be necessary for you to access the

computer package DERIVE.

DERIVE can be used to obtain denite integrals. In particular there are specic commands
for determining volumes of revolution obtained when curves are rotated about either the x- or
y-axes. These commands can be obtained by opening the Int apps library (simply click on
File:Open and then double click the Int apps icon). The commands take the form
Volume of revolution(y, x, x1 , x2 ) if y(x) x1 x x2 is rotated round the x-axis
or,
Volumey of revolution(y, x, x1 , x2 ) if y(x) x1 x x2 is rotated round the y-axis
For example to nd the volume of revolution obtained by rotating the curve y = x2 1x2
about the x-axis we would rst open Library Int apps and then key
Author:Expression, then type: Volume of revolution(x 2, x, 1, 2). DERIVE responds
VOLUME OF REVOLUTION(x2 , x, 1, 2)
Then hit Simplify:Basic and DERIVE responds
31
5
However, beware, the volume of revolution about the y-axis as provided by DERIVE is not the
same as that given in this Block. In fact, referring to the following diagram, DERIVE gives the
outer volume of revolution whereas, in the text, we calculate the inner volume of revolution.

y y

x x

outer volume inner volume

 x2  x2
outer volume 2xydx inner volume x2 dy
x1 x1

Of course, the two measures are related: outer volume + inner volume = (x22 y2 x21 y1 )

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 End of Block 15.2

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15.2: Applications of Integration
(2x)2 x = 4x2 x

Back to the theory

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3
0
4x2 dx

Back to the theory

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 3
4x3
3
= 36
0

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(x2 )2 x = x4 x

Back to the theory

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15.2: Applications of Integration
x=4
x=0 x4 x

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4
0
x4 dx

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15.2: Applications of Integration
45
5
= 204.8

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y

Back to the theory

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15.2: Applications of Integration
y 2 x

Back to the theory

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b
a
y 2 dx

Back to the theory

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15.2: Applications of Integration
2. 31/5, 3. 2.

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1
0
x2 dy

Back to the theory

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15.2: Applications of Integration
1  1
y 2
0
ydy = 2
= 2
0

Back to the theory

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 15 16
2. 2
. 3. 3
.

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