VOLUMES OF SOLIDS OF REVOLUTION

The solid generated by rotating a plane area about an axis in its plane
is called a solid of revolution. The volume of a solid of revolution
may be found by the following procedures:

1. Circular Disk Method

The strip that will revolve is perpendicular to the axis of revolution.

In this method, the axis of rotation may or may not be part of the
boundary of the plane area that is being revolved.
a. Using Horizontal Strip

Horizontal strip

The disk as shown in the figure has an outer radius of 𝑥𝑅 , a hole of

radius 𝑥𝐿 , and thickness 𝑑𝑦. The differential volume is therefore
𝜋𝑥𝑅 2 𝑑𝑦 − 𝜋𝑥𝐿 2 𝑑𝑦 and the total volume is...
𝑦2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑦1
𝑥𝑅 2 − 𝑥𝐿 2 𝑑𝑦
The integration involved is in variable 𝑦 since the derivative is 𝑑𝑦, 𝑥𝑅
and 𝑥𝐿 therefore must be expressed in terms of 𝑦. If the axis of
revolution is part of the boundary of the plane area that is being
revolved, 𝑥𝐿 = 0, and the equation reduces to...
𝑦2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑥𝑅 2 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1
 b. Using Vertical Strip
From the figure shown below, the volume can be found by the
formula...
𝑥2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑦𝑈 2 − 𝑦𝐿 2 𝑑𝑥 Vertical strip
𝑥1

If 𝑦𝐿 = 0 , we have
𝑥2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑦𝑈 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1

where 𝑦𝑈 and 𝑦𝐿 are functions

of 𝑥.
2. Cylindrical Shell Method

The strip that will revolve is parallel to the axis of revolution. The

volume of revolution is obtained by taking the limit of the sum of

cylindrical shell elements, each of which is equal in volume to the

mean circumference times the height times the thickness.

a. Using Horizontal Strip

Horizontal strip

𝑦2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦𝐶 𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1
b. Using Vertical Strip

Vertical strip

𝑥2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥𝐶 𝑦𝑈 − 𝑦𝐿 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
Example 1
Find the volume of the solid generated when the area bounded by
the curve 𝑦2 = 𝑥, the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 and the line 𝑥 = 2 is revolved
about the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
𝑥2
Solution 1: Circular Disk Method 𝑉=𝜋 𝑦𝑈 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
2
2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
2 2
𝑥
𝑉=𝜋
2 0
1
𝑉 = 𝜋 22 − 02
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution 2: Cylindrical Shell Method 𝑦2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦𝐶 𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
0
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 2𝑦 − 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑦
0
2 4 2
2𝑦 𝑦
𝑉 = 2𝜋 −
2 4 0
4 2
𝑦
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦 2 −
4 0
4 2
2
𝑥
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 −
4 0
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Example 2
Find the volume generated when the area in Example 1 will revolve
about the y-axis.
𝑦2
Solution 1: Circular Disk Method 𝑉=𝜋 𝑥𝑅 2 − 𝑥𝐿 2 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1
2
𝑉=𝜋 22 − 𝑦 2 2
𝑑𝑦
0
2
𝑉=𝜋 4 − 𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦
0
5 2
𝑦
𝑉 = 𝜋 4𝑦 −
5 0
5
2
𝑉=𝜋 4 2 −
5
𝑉 = 14.22 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution 2: Cylindrical Shell Method
𝑥2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥𝐶 𝑦𝑈 − 𝑦𝐿 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 𝑥 − 0 𝑑𝑥
0
2
3
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
0
5 2
𝑥 2
𝑉 = 2𝜋
5
2 0
4 5 5 2
𝑉 = 𝜋 2 2−0 2
5 0

𝑉 = 14.22 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

Example 3:
Derive the formula for the volume of a sphere.

The formula for the volume of the sphere is given by

4 3
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟
3

The differential element

shown in the figure is
cylindrical with radius x and
altitude dy. The volume of
cylindrical element is...

𝑑𝑉 = 𝜋𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦
The sum of the cylindrical elements from 0 to 𝑟 is a hemisphere,
twice the hemisphere will give the volume of the sphere. Thus,
𝑦
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦
0
From the equation of the circle
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2 ⟹ 𝑥2 = 𝑟2 − 𝑦2
𝑟
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑟 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
0
3 𝑟
𝑦
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑟 2 𝑦 −
3 0
𝑟 3 03
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑟 3 − − 03 −
3 3
2𝑟 3
𝑉 = 2𝜋
3
4𝜋𝑟 3
𝑉=
3
EXAMPLE 4:
Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating about the y-axis
the region bounded by 𝑦 = 2𝑥2 − 𝑥3 and the x-axis.

𝑦 = 2𝑥2 − 𝑥3
Solution:
We have

2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 2𝜋 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 = 2𝜋 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4

Note that 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 = 0 if 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2. Therefore

2
𝑉= 2𝜋 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 𝑑𝑥
0
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 𝑑𝑥
0
4 5 2
2𝑥 𝑥
𝑉 = 2𝜋 −
4 5 0
2 ∙ 24 25 2 ∙ 04 05
𝑉 = 2𝜋 − − 2𝜋 −
4 5 4 5
16𝜋
𝑉= 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
5
EXAMPLE 5:
Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating about the y-axis the
region bounded by 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1) 𝑥 − 3 2 and the 𝑥-axis.

𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1) 𝑥 − 3 2

The curve revolved about

The graph of the curve
the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1) 𝑥 − 3 2

If a horizontal strip is used, a washer is formed as shown

If a vertical strip is used and is revolved about the y-axis, a cylindrical
shell is formed as shown.
radius

Vertical
strips
height

Solution:
Using a vertical strip, we have

2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 2𝜋 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 3 2
= 2𝜋 𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 + 15𝑥 2 − 9𝑥

The limits of 𝑑𝑥 are the points of intersection of the curve and the
𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 (x-intercepts i.e. 𝑦 = 0).
Note that 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 3 2 = 0 if 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 3.
The volume of the solid generated is therefore,
3
2
𝑉= 2𝜋 ∙ 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 − 1 𝑥 − 3 𝑑𝑥
1
3
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 + 15𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1
5 4 3 2 3
𝑥 7𝑥 15𝑥 9𝑥
𝑉 = 2𝜋 + + −
5 4 3 2 1

35 7(34 ) 15(33 ) 9(32 )

𝑉 = 2𝜋 + + −
5 4 3 2
15 7(14 ) 15(13 ) 9(12 )
−2𝜋 + + −
5 4 3 2
24𝜋
𝑉= 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
5
EXAMPLE 6:
Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating about the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
the region bounded by 𝑦 = 3 𝑥, 𝑥 = 8 and the 𝑥-axis.

Solution:
3
Graph the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 and the line 𝑥 = 8.
3
𝑦= 𝑥

𝑥 = 8

3 3
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 The solid obtained when 𝑦 = 𝑥 is
rotated about the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
Solution a: Using Cylindrical Shell:

If a horizontal strip is used and is revolved about the x-axis, a

cylindrical shell is formed as shown.

𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 dy
𝑦𝐶

𝑦2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦𝐶 𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1
The points of intersections of the curve and the line is determined by
equating the two equations 𝑦 = 3 𝑥, 𝑥 = 8 and solve for y.
3
𝑦= 8
𝑦=2
The volume of the solid generated,
𝑦2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦𝐶 𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 𝑑𝑦
𝑦1

where:𝑦𝐶 = 𝑦, 𝑥𝑅 = 8, 𝑥𝐿 = 𝑦 3
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑦 8 − 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑦
0
2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 8𝑦 − 𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦
0
2
8𝑦 2 𝑦 5
𝑉 = 2𝜋 −
2 5 0
8 ∙ 22 25
𝑉 = 2𝜋 − −0
2 5
96𝜋
𝑉= 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
5
Solution a: Using Cylindrical Disc:
If a vertical strip is used and is revolved about the x-axis, a circular
disc is formed as shown.

dx dx
𝑦𝑈

𝑥2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑦𝑈 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
Where:
𝑥1 = 0 and 𝑥2 = 8
The volume of the solid generated,

𝑥2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑦𝑈 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥1
8
3 2
𝑉=𝜋 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
5 8
8 8
2 𝑥3 3 5
𝑉=𝜋 𝑥3 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜋 5 = 𝜋 ∙ 𝑥3 0
0 3
5
0
3𝜋 5 3
𝑉= 8 −0
5

96𝜋
𝑉= 𝑐𝑢. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
5