Volume of Solids of Revolution | A Level Maths Revision Notes

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1 Summary

1.1 Definite Integrals Formula

1.2 Example 1

1.3 Example 2

1.3.1 Reference

Summary

Rotating about the x axis, Volume of Revolution:

$v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { y }^{ 2 } } dx$

Rotating about the y axis, Volume of Revolution:

$v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { x }^{ 2 } } dy$

Definite Integrals Formula

We know that definite integrals can help us figure out areas underneath the curves.

Recalling the formula for definite integrals from the article ”Integration” :

$\int _{ a }^{ b }{ f^{ ' }\left( x \right) } dx\quad =\quad f\left( b \right) \quad -\quad f\left( a \right)$

Similarly, pretty much using the same principle we can work out volumes of rotating solids.

If the part of a curve y = f(x) between the giving limits x = a & x = b is rotated about the x axis or y axis through 360°, then the solid formed is called a ‘Solid of Revolution’.

Such a solid is always symmetrical about the axis of rotation. Examples of such solids are, cone, cylinder and sphere etc.

Consider an element with radius y and height $\Delta x$ .

Volume of the element $=\quad \pi { y }^{ 2 }\Delta x$

Volume of the entire solid $=\quad \sum _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { y }^{ 2 }\Delta x }$

Note: The smaller the $\Delta x$ , the approximation is closer to the actual value.

When $\Delta x\quad \rightarrow \quad 0$ :

$v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { y }^{ 2 } } dx$

Hence, we can deduce that:

The volume of revolution of y = f(x) between x = a & x = b about the axis of x is:

$v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { y }^{ 2 } } dx$

Let’s look at some examples now.

Example 1

Rotating about the x axis

Q. The region between the curve $y\quad =\quad f\left( x \right) \quad =\quad { x }^{ 2 }$ , the x axis and the line x = 1 and x = 3 is rotated through 360° about the x axis.

Find the volume of revolution which is formed.

Solution:

Using the formula $v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { y }^{ 2 } } dx$

Replacing y with ${ x }^{ 2 }$ ,

$v\quad =\quad \int _{ 1 }^{ 3 }{ \pi { ({ x }^{ 2 }) }^{ 2 } } dx$

$=\quad\pi \int _{ 1 }^{ 3 }{ { x }^{ 4 } } dx$

$=\quad \pi { \left[ \frac { { x }^{ 5 } }{ 5 } \right] }_{ 1 }^{ 3 }$

$=\quad \frac { \pi }{ 5 } (243\quad -\quad 1)$

Ans: $=\quad \frac { 242\pi }{ 5 }$ cubic units

Example 2

Rotating about the y axis

Q. The region between the curve $y\quad =\quad f\left( x \right) \quad =\quad { x }^{ 2 }$ , the y axis and the line y = 2 and y = 5 is rotated 360° around the y axis.

Find the volume of revolution obtained.

Solution:

Using the formula $v\quad =\quad \int _{ a }^{ b }{ \pi { x }^{ 2 } } dy$

where ${ y }^{ 2 }$ is now replaced by ${ x }^{ 2 }$