EM 2 MODULE 7 Application of Integration

LESSON 1 Solid of Revolution: Circular Disks and Circular Rings

Objectives:
1. To identify the applications of integration specifically the solids of revolution.
2. To determine the solid of revolution generated by revolving an area about an axis.
3. To identify the appropriate method to use in determining the volume of a solid of
revolution using the circular disk or circular ring.
Solids of Revolution

The fundamental Theorem of the Integral Calculus does not apply for the computation of
plane areas. But any function of one variable may be represented graphically as a plane
curve. It follows that this theorem stated may be used to evaluate

lim ∑ 𝑓 (𝑥𝑖 )∆𝑥

∆𝑥→0
𝑖=1

regardless of the physical meaning of the function f(x), For if the graph of the function were
to be drawn, we see that the quantity 𝑓 (𝑥𝑖 )∆𝑥 would represent a rectang

ular element of the area, so that the theorem becomes applicable at once.
Circular Disks

Let a solid be generated by rotating the area OAB about the x-axis (showing only one
quadrant of the solid). Imagine this solid cut into thin slices by planes perpendicular to the
axis of revolution (the rotation of the area PQRS). Trimming off the irregular outer edge
(generated by S’RS) , to leave a thin circular disk (generated by revolving the rectangle
PQRS’).

The radius of this element is yi, the thickness is ∆𝑥, the volume is 𝜋𝑦𝑖 2 ∆𝑥. As the disk is
taken thinner and thinner, the aggregate volume of the trimmings
approaches zero and he sum of all the elementary volumes 𝜋𝑦𝑖 2 ∆𝑥 approaches as its limit,
the volume of the solid.

V = lim ∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝜋𝑦𝑖 2 ∆𝑥 = 𝜋 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥.

∆𝑥→0

Figure 1. The solid of revolution derived by rotating the area (represented by AOB)
bounded by the curve f = f(x) and the axes in the first quadrant is represented by
one quadrant of the solid..
Example (a). The area bounded by a parabola y2 = 4x, its axis and its latus rectum revolves
about the a-axis. Find the volume generated.

Figure 2. The area bounded by the parabola, its axis and its latus rectum is rotated
about the x-axis. The solid of revolution formed is a circular disk.

Solution:

A vertical element is drawn in the area bounded by the parabola, the x-axis
and its latus rectum x = 1. The height of the element is y measured from the x-axis to
point on the curve. The thickness is dx. The solid of revolution formed by
rotating the said area about the x-axis is a circular disk of radius y and thickness dx.
Hence the volume is 𝜋 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥. Hence
1
V = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥

but y2 = 4x,

1 1 𝑥2
V = 𝜋 ∫0 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 4𝜋 ∫0 𝑑𝑥
2

1
= 2𝜋 [𝑥2 ] =
0

= 2𝜋 Ans.
 Example (b). The area in Example (a) will be rotated about the latus rectum. Find the
volume generated.

Solution:

A horizontal element is drawn across the area concerned which represents

all the elements divided throughout the area.
The distance x is measured from the y-axis to the point of intersection with
the curve. The width of the element (1 – x) will represent the radius of the disk if the
said element is rotated about the latus rectum or the line x = 1, the thickness of the
element is dy, and the volume is 𝜋 (1 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑥. Hence

Figure 3. The area bounded by the parabola, its axis and its latus rectum is revolved
about the latus rectum.
2
V = 𝜋 ∫0 (1 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑦

2
V = 𝜋 ∫0 (1 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑦

but y2 = 4x, x = y2/4

2 𝑦2 2 2 𝑦2 𝑦4
V = 𝜋 ∫0 (1 − ) 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜋 ∫0 (1 + 2 − 16) 𝑑𝑦
4

𝑦2 𝑦4 2 16
= 𝜋 [𝑦 + − ] = 𝜋 Ans.
2 16 15
0
Circular Rings

The area shown bounded by two curves is to be revolved about the x-axis, the
element formed by the revolution of the rectangle (PQRS) is a circular ring or washer.

Figure 4. The area bounded by two curves is revolved about the x-axis resulting to a
circular ring or washer.

The circular ring has an outer radius of SP’ and an inner radius of PP’ and a thickness
of SR. The volume of the circular ring can be computed as 𝜋 (SP’2 – PP’2) SR.
Example (c). Find the volume generated by revolving a circle about one of its tangents.

Solution:

Figure 20. The sketch of a circle of radius r, rotated about one of its tangent, a
horizontal element is drawn in the area and rotated where a circular ring is formed.

Let the equation of the circle be

x2 + y2 = r2.

Consider one of the tangents to be the line x = r. This is where the area of the
circle will revolve. The horizontal element RSQP will be revolved about the line x =
r. The volume-element generated is a circular ring of radius SP’ = r + x, inner radius
PP’ = r – x and thickness dy.
𝑟
V = 𝜋 ∫−𝑟[(𝑟 + 𝑥 )2 − (𝑟 − 𝑥)2 ] dy
 𝑟
= 2𝜋 ∫0 [𝑟 2 + 2𝑟𝑥 + 𝑥 2 − (𝑟 2 − 2𝑟𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )] dy

𝑟
= 2𝜋 ∫0 [𝑟 2 + 2𝑟𝑥 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑟 2 + 2𝑟𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )] dy

𝑟
= 8𝜋𝑟 ∫0 𝑥 dy

𝑟
but ∫0 𝑥 dy represents the area of the circular quadrant which is one fourth of

the area of a circle.

𝑟
V = 8𝜋𝑟 ∫0 𝑥 dy

1
= 8𝜋𝑟 ( 𝜋 𝑟 2 )
4

= 2𝜋 2 𝑟 2 Ans.
Exercises

A. Solve the following problems.

1. The area bounded by the curve y = e– x, the axes and the line x = 2 is revolved about the
x-axis. Find the volume generated.
2. The area under one arch of the sine curve revolves about the x-axis. Find the volume
generated.
3. Find the volume formed by revolving the area in Ex. 1 about the line y = 1.
4. The area bounded by the y-axis, the line y = 1, and the arc of y = sin x between x = 0
and x = ¼ 𝜋 is revolved about the line y = 1. Find the volume generated.
5. The area in Ex. 4 is revolved about the x-axis. Find the volume generated.
6. The area bounded by the curve y = (x2 – 4)2 and the x-axis revolves about the y-axis.
Find the volume.
7. Find the volume generated by revolving about the y-axis the area bounded by the curve
x2 = 4(x – y), the y-axis, and the line y = 1.
8. Find the volume generated b revolving about Ox the area bounded by the hyperbola xy
= 4, the line x = 2, and the x-axis.
9. Find the volume formed by revolving about the y-axis the area bounded by the parabola
x2 = 4y, the line x = 1, and the x-axis.
10. Find the volume formed generated by revolving the area in Ex. 9 about the line x = 1.
11. The area bounded by y = ln x, x = e, and the x-axis is revolved about the x-axis. Find
the volume generated.
12. The area enclosed by the loop of the curve y2 = x (x – 3)2 is revolved about the x-axis.
Find the volume generated.
EM 2 M7 L1 Assignment 1

Write your solution on a white bond paper. Draw the appropriate sketches per problem. Limit
to one problem per page only.

A. Solve the following problems.

1. The area bounded by the curve y = e– x, the axes and the line x = 2 is revolved about the
x-axis. Find the volume generated.
2. Find the volume formed by revolving the area in Ex. 1 about the line y = 1.
3. Find the volume generated by revolving about the y-axis the area bounded by the curve
x2 = 4(x – y), the y-axis, and the line y = 1.
4. Find the volume formed by revolving about the y-axis the area bounded by the parabola
x2 = 4y, the line x = 1, and the x-axis.
5. Find the volume formed generated by revolving the area in Ex. 4 about the line x = 1.