WTW 164

Unit 2.10: Area of a surface of

revolution
Dr HR (Maya) Thackeray
<maya.thackeray@up.ac.za>
Area of a surface of revolution (y = f(x))
Let the function f be such that f’ is continuous on [a,b]. Let C be the curve y = f(x) from x = a to
x = b.
• If f(x) is at least 0 for all x in [a,b], then the surface area of the solid obtained by rotating C
about the x axis is
=.
That area can be approximated by a collection of circular bands. The surface area ΔS of each
band is approximately 2πyΔL, where ΔL is the corresponding straight line segment
approximating the arc length of C.
• If a is at least 0, then the surface area of the solid obtained by rotating C about the y axis is
=.
That area can be approximated by a collection of circular bands. The surface area ΔS of each
band is approximately 2πxΔL, where ΔL is the corresponding straight line segment
approximating the arc length of C.
Area of a surface of revolution (x = g(y))
Let the function g be such that g’ is continuous on [c,d]. Let C be the curve x = g(y) from y = c
to y = d.
• If c is at least 0, then the surface area of the solid obtained by rotating C about the x axis is
=.
That area can be approximated by a collection of circular bands. The surface area ΔS of each
band is approximately 2πyΔL, where ΔL is the corresponding straight line segment
approximating the arc length of C.
• If g(y) is at least 0 for all y in [c,d], then the surface area of the solid obtained by rotating C
about the y axis is
=.
That area can be approximated by a collection of circular bands. The surface area ΔS of each
band is approximately 2πxΔL, where ΔL is the corresponding straight line segment
approximating the arc length of C.
Questions (page 1)
• The curve y = from x = 0 to x = 2 is rotated about the x axis. Find the
surface area of the solid we obtain.
Solution 1 (integrating with respect to x).
Area = =
= (now let u = x + ; we have du = dx)
= = = =.
Questions (page 2)
Solution 2 (integrating with respect to y).
Area = =
(now let u = 1 + 4; we have du = 8y dy)
= = = ( – ) = (27 – 1) = .
Questions (page 3)
• The semicircle x = (where r is a positive constant) is revolved about
the y axis. Find the surface area of the resulting solid.
Solution. Area =
= =
= = = 2πr(r – (–r)) = 4π.
Questions (page 4)
• The curve y = /3 from x = 0 to x = is rotated about the x axis. Find the
surface area of the solid obtained.
Solution. Area = =
(now let u = 1 + ; we have du = 4dx)
= = = = (8 – 1) = .