Reflecting About A Line- Solids

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In summary, the equation for the volume of a solid generated by revolving a region bounded by the graphs of y=x^2-4x+5 and y=5-x about the line y=-1 is x^2-3x+0. The attempt at a solution reaches an intersection point between x^2-4x+5 and x^2-3x=0, and is stumped due to not being able to determine which method to use. The correct formula to use is V=int_a^b \pi (r_{upper}^2 - r_{lower}^2)\,dx, where r is the radius of revolution for the appropriate curve. Plugging in the
  • #1
Justabeginner
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Homework Statement


Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by the graphs of [itex] y= x^2 - 4x + 5 [/itex] and [itex] y= 5- x [/itex] about the line [itex] y= -1 [/itex]


Homework Equations


That is what I'm trying to figure out here, which one of the methods to use.


The Attempt at a Solution



I have these steps so far...

x^2 - 4x + 5= 5 - x
x^2 - 3x = 0
x(x-3)= 0
x= 0 and x= 3
These are my intersection points. From 0 to 3 on this graph, the function 5- x has greater y-values than those of x^2- 4x + 5, so I get (5-x)- (x^2-4x+5)= 3x-x^2. And now I am stumped. What method would I use? And how am I supposed to know if it's a disk, shell, or washer method looking at the graph? I am clueless on how to do that. Thank you for your help.
 
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  • #2
Generally it will be easier to do the question via the method of shells or via disks/washers. Boths methods work. I think using disks is easier in this case,
 
  • #3
Justabeginner said:

Homework Statement


Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by the graphs of [itex] y= x^2 - 4x + 5 [/itex] and [itex] y= 5- x [/itex] about the line [itex] y= -1 [/itex]


Homework Equations


That is what I'm trying to figure out here, which one of the methods to use.


The Attempt at a Solution



I have these steps so far...

x^2 - 4x + 5= 5 - x
x^2 - 3x = 0
x(x-3)= 0
x= 0 and x= 3
These are my intersection points. From 0 to 3 on this graph, the function 5- x has greater y-values than those of x^2- 4x + 5, so I get (5-x)- (x^2-4x+5)= 3x-x^2. And now I am stumped. What method would I use? And how am I supposed to know if it's a disk, shell, or washer method looking at the graph? I am clueless on how to do that. Thank you for your help.
You can always use either method (shells vs. disks/washers). The question really is which of the two methods results in an integral that is easier to evaluate.

I find it helpful in these problems to draw two graphs. The first shows the region that is being revolved; the second shows a cross-section of the solid of revolution, with some detail on the typical volume element (a shell or disk/washer), including its dimensions.
 
  • #4
So using the disk method which if I'm not mistaken is (f(x)^2) dx, I should get:

(3x-x^2)^2= 9x^2 - 6x^3 + x^4 with a and b being 0 and 3 respectively.

108- [0]= 108?

But when I draw the graph.. I don't see how the y= -1 would affect this at all then?
 
  • #5
Justabeginner said:
So using the disk method which if I'm not mistaken is (f(x)^2) dx, I should get:

(3x-x^2)^2= 9x^2 - 6x^3 + x^4 with a and b being 0 and 3 respectively.

108- [0]= 108?

But when I draw the graph.. I don't see how the y= -1 would affect this at all then?

Which means it's wrong, eh? The formula$$
\int_a^b \pi f^2(x)dx$$is for the area under ##y=f(x)## rotated about the ##x## axis. That isn't what you have, and you forgot the ##\pi## anyway. You want the formula$$
V=\int_a^b \pi (r_{upper}^2 - r_{lower}^2)\, dx$$where ##r## is the radius of revolution for the appropriate curve. The axis being ##y=-1## will affect that.
 
  • #6
So by using the correct formula, I get R = (5-x)+1 and r = (x^2-4x+5)+1

Then after I plug in and solve, V= 162pi/5. Is this correct?
 
  • #7
It would be helpful if you showed the work you did to get that result. I'm not saying that it's wrong, but I can't tell without duplicating your effort.
 
  • #8
Well I did this:

pi * integral { (5-x)+1)^2) with a=0 and b=2 - ((x^2-4x+6)^2)} dx

Then I just simplified.
 
  • #9
This looks good so far.

Here's your integral in LaTeX.
$$ \pi \int_0^3 [(6 - x)^2 - (x^2 - 4x + 6)^2]dx$$

There are lots of opportunities for algebra errors to creep in, so show us the rest of your work.

Click the Quote button to see what I did
 

FAQ: Reflecting About A Line- Solids

What is the definition of a line?

A line is a straight path that extends infinitely in both directions and has no width or thickness.

What does it mean to reflect a line?

Reflecting a line means to create a mirror image of the line over a specified axis or point. This results in a new line with the same length and shape as the original, but facing in the opposite direction.

How do you reflect a line over the x-axis?

To reflect a line over the x-axis, you would take each point on the original line and replace the y-coordinate with its opposite (negative) value. This will create a mirror image of the original line below the x-axis.

What happens when you reflect a line over the y-axis?

When you reflect a line over the y-axis, you would take each point on the original line and replace the x-coordinate with its opposite (negative) value. This will create a mirror image of the original line to the left of the y-axis.

How do you reflect a line over a specific point?

To reflect a line over a specific point, you would first determine the distance between that point and the line. Then, you would double that distance and mark points on the opposite side of the line at the same distance from the point. Finally, you would connect these points to create the reflected line.

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