MHB Belinda Obeng's question at Yahoo Answers regarding a solid of revolution

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The discussion focuses on calculating the volume of the solid formed by revolving the region bounded by the curves y=x^2 and y^2=8x around the y-axis. The points of intersection are determined to be (0,0) and (2,4). Two methods are used for volume calculation: the washer method and the shell method, both yielding a final volume of 24π/5. The washer method involves integrating the difference of the outer and inner radii, while the shell method uses cylindrical shells for integration. The calculations confirm the consistency of results from both methods.
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Here is the question:

The volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by the graph y=x^2,y^2=8x,about the y-axis?

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can see my work.
 
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Hello Belinda Obeng,

First, let's determine the points of intersection for the two curves. Substituting for $y$ as given in the first equation into the second, we obtain:

$$\left(x^2 \right)^2=8x$$

$$x^4-8x=0$$

$$x\left(x^3-2^3 \right)=0$$

$$x(x-2)\left(x^2+2x+2^2 \right)=0$$

The quadratic factor has complex roots, hence we find:

$$x=0,\,2$$

Thus, the two points of intersection are:

$$(0,0),\,(2,4)$$

To use the washer method, we find the volume of an arbitrary washer is:

$$dV=\pi\left(R^2-r^2 \right)\,dy$$

where:

$$R^2=y$$

$$r^2=\frac{y^4}{64}$$

Hence:

$$dV=\pi\left(y-\frac{y^4}{64} \right)\,dy$$

Adding the volume elements by integrating, we find:

$$V=\pi\int_0^4 y-\frac{y^4}{64}\,dy$$

Applying the FTOC, we obtain:

$$V=\pi\left[\frac{y^2}{2}-\frac{y^5}{320} \right]_0^4=\frac{24\pi}{5}$$

Using the shell method, we find the volume of an arbitrary shell is:

$$dV=2\pi rh\,dx$$

where:

$$r=x$$

$$h=\sqrt{8x}-x^2$$

Hence:

$$dV=2\pi x\left(\sqrt{8x}-x^2 \right)\,dx=2\pi\left(2\sqrt{2}x^{\frac{3}{2}}-x^3 \right)\,dx$$

Summing the volume elements by integrating, we find:

$$V=2\pi\int_0^2 2\sqrt{2}x^{\frac{3}{2}}-x^3\,dx$$

Applying the FTOC, we find:

$$V=2\pi\left[\frac{4\sqrt{2}}{5}x^{\frac{5}{2}}-\frac{x^4}{4} \right]_0^2=2\pi\left(\frac{32}{5}-4 \right)=\frac{24\pi}{5}$$
 
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