Volume of revolution: shell method

In summary: Since here "x_1" is x= y+ 2 and "x_2" is x= y^2, that would be \int ((y+2)^2- (y^2)^2)dy. And your limits of integration are wrong for that integral also.
  • #1
Call my name
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(EDITED)
1. Use the shell method to find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the y-axis. [tex]x=y^2, x=y+2[/tex]

2. same as #1, except change y and x for the two equations and revolve about x-axis.

I tried doing [tex]2pi\int_{x=0}^4(x)(\sqrt{x}-x+2dx[/tex] but the answer is off for #1.

I tried doing [tex]2pi\int_{y=-1}^4(y)(\sqrt{y}-y+2dy[/tex], well it's wrong.

Is there a problem with how I established the shell height?

Can anyone explain shell method in a better way than my textbook? I learned that shell height and shell radius are something quite useful to know when doing shell method.

for #2, do I need to use 2 integrals perhaps? since the revolution would provide two different volumes with two different radius?

Hope somebody can aid me.

EDIT:

[tex]2pi\int_{x=0}^4(x)(\sqrt{x}-x+2)dx[/tex]
[tex]2pi\int_{y=-1}^4(y)(\sqrt{y}-y+2)dy[/tex]

the answer for these two questions are supposed to give me 72pi/5.
 
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  • #2
Call my name said:
1. Use the shell method to find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the y-axis. [tex]x=y^2, x=y+2[/tex]

2. same as #1, except change y and x for the two equations and revolve about y-axis.

I tried doing [tex]2pi\int_{x=1}^2(x)(\sqrt{x}-x+2dx[/tex] but the answer is off for #1.
Draw an accurate graph. You are missing the part between x= 0 and x= 1. You need to do two parts. If [itex]0\le x\le 1[/itex], the "shell " rotated around around the y-axis has height going form [itex]y= -\sqrt{x}[/itex] to [itex]y= \sqrt{x}[/itex]. For [itex]1\le x\e 4[/itex] (NOT 2), it is from y= x- 2 to [itex]y= \sqrt{x}[/itex].

I tried doing [tex]2pi\int_{y=0}^4(y)(\sqrt{y}-x+2dy[/tex], well it's wrong.
Well, of course, it is! You can't have an "x" when you are integrating with respect to y!
To do this by integrating with respect to y, you need to use the "washer" method or, same thing, find the volume of the region rotating the line x=y+2 around the y-axis and then subtract the volume of the region rotationg the parabola [itex]x= y^2[/itex] around the y-axis. That is the same because those two volumes will be [itex]\pi \int x_1^2dx[/itex] and [itex]\pi \int x_2^2 dx[/itex], respectively. But [itex]\pi\int x_1^2 dx- \pi\int x_2^2 dx= \pi \int (x_1^2- x_2^2)dx[/itex]. Since here "[itex]x_1[/itex]" is x= y+ 2 and "[itex]x_2[/itex]" is [itex]x= y^2[/itex], that would be [itex]\int ((y+2)^2- (y^2)^2)dy[/itex]. And your limits of integration are wrong for that integral also. The two curves intersect at (1, -1) and (4, 2), you integrate from y= -1 to y= 2.

Is there a problem with how I established the shell height?
Well, you got the wrong answer! Since you did not say "how" you got the shell height, I don't know if that was the problem.

Can anyone explain shell method in a better way than my textbook? I learned that shell height and shell radius are something quite useful to know when doing shell method.
I don't know how your textbook explained it so I don't know if I can do a better job. I think of it like this: since you are rotating around the y-axis, draw a vertical line at a representative distance from that axis. That vertical line, rotated around the axis of rotation will be the radius of the cylinder formed- since the rotation is around the y-axis, the radius is just "x" so you have that right. The height of the cylinder will be the difference between the y-values of the curves forming top and bottom. Since different shells are being taken at different x-values, the thickness of the shell will be "dx" and you integrate with respect to x from the lowest to the highest x-values in the figure.

for #2, do I need to use 2 integrals perhaps? since the revolution would provide two different volumes with two different radius?

Hope somebody can aid me.
??I don't see a #2. Did you mean the integration by the "washer" method? No, for that you do not need two integrals. You need it for the first integral!
 
  • #3
HallsofIvy said:
Draw an accurate graph. You are missing the part between x= 0 and x= 1. You need to do two parts. If [itex]0\le x\le 1[/itex], the "shell " rotated around around the y-axis has height going form [itex]y= -\sqrt{x}[/itex] to [itex]y= \sqrt{x}[/itex]. For [itex]1\le x\e 4[/itex] (NOT 2), it is from y= x- 2 to [itex]y= \sqrt{x}[/itex]. Well, of course, it is! You can't have an "x" when you are integrating with respect to y!
To do this by integrating with respect to y, you need to use the "washer" method or, same thing, find the volume of the region rotating the line x=y+2 around the y-axis and then subtract the volume of the region rotationg the parabola [itex]x= y^2[/itex] around the y-axis. That is the same because those two volumes will be [itex]\pi \int x_1^2dx[/itex] and [itex]\pi \int x_2^2 dx[/itex], respectively. But [itex]\pi\int x_1^2 dx- \pi\int x_2^2 dx= \pi \int (x_1^2- x_2^2)dx[/itex]. Since here "[itex]x_1[/itex]" is x= y+ 2 and "[itex]x_2[/itex]" is [itex]x= y^2[/itex], that would be [itex]\int ((y+2)^2- (y^2)^2)dy[/itex]. And your limits of integration are wrong for that integral also. The two curves intersect at (1, -1) and (4, 2), you integrate from y= -1 to y= 2. Well, you got the wrong answer! Since you did not say "how" you got the shell height, I don't know if that was the problem. I don't know how your textbook explained it so I don't know if I can do a better job. I think of it like this: since you are rotating around the y-axis, draw a vertical line at a representative distance from that axis. That vertical line, rotated around the axis of rotation will be the radius of the cylinder formed- since the rotation is around the y-axis, the radius is just "x" so you have that right. The height of the cylinder will be the difference between the y-values of the curves forming top and bottom. Since different shells are being taken at different x-values, the thickness of the shell will be "dx" and you integrate with respect to x from the lowest to the highest x-values in the figure. ??I don't see a #2. Did you mean the integration by the "washer" method? No, for that you do not need two integrals. You need it for the first integral!
I made many typos... for number 2, it is actually rotated about the x-axis...
for the second integral, it's not x there, it's supposed to be y...
I edited the original post
 
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FAQ: Volume of revolution: shell method

What is the shell method for finding volume of revolution?

The shell method is a mathematical technique used to find the volume of a solid created by rotating a region between two curves around a given axis. It involves using cylindrical shells to approximate the volume of the solid.

How is the shell method different from the disk method?

The disk method involves using circular disks to approximate the volume of a solid, while the shell method uses cylindrical shells. The main difference is in the shape of the approximating objects used.

What is the formula for the shell method?

The formula for the shell method is V = 2π∫(radius)(height)dx, where the radius is the distance from the axis of rotation to the shell, the height is the length of the shell, and the integral is taken over the range of the axis of rotation.

What are the steps for using the shell method to find volume of revolution?

The steps for using the shell method are as follows:
1. Identify the axis of rotation and the limits of integration.
2. Determine the radius and height of the shell in terms of x.
3. Set up the integral using the formula for the shell method.
4. Solve the integral to find the volume of the solid.

What are some common applications of the shell method in real life?

The shell method has various applications in engineering, physics, and other fields. Some examples include calculating the volume of a water tank, determining the volume of a rotating object, and finding the moment of inertia of a solid body. It is also used in designing and analyzing structures such as bridges and buildings.

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