MTH 201 Chapter 2: Application of Integration

2.3 Volumes by Cylindrical Shells

In 2.2 we found that we could compute the volumes of solids or revolution using the washer and disk methods.
However, some volume problems are difficult to hand using these methods.

Motivation: Find the volume when the region enclosed by the curves y = 2 x − x and
2 3

y = 0 is rotated about the y-axis.

Notice that if we try to compute the area of this figure

using washers our integral will have to be in terms of y
(since the washers stack up top to bottom and not left to
right).

However, solving the equation y = 2 x − x for x is not

2 3

easy.

To answer such a question we need to develop a new shape to approximate the volume.

The following link helps to illustrate the Cylindrical Shell Method.

http://mathdemos.org/mathdemos/shellmethod/

Now, let’s see if we can generate a Riemann sum using cylindrical shells instead of disks. Consider the picture
below:

To find a formula for the volume of the cylindrical shell let us subtract the volume
of the inner cylinder from the outer cylinder. Notice that we have strategically
xi + xi −1
chosen the sample point in our interval to be xi = .
2
So, the volume of the shell pictured is:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
 xi2 f xi −  xi2−1 f xi =  f xi  xi2 − xi2−1  =  f xi ( xi − xi −1 )( xi + xi −1 )
 x + xi −1 
( )
= 2 f xi x  i ( )
 = 2 xi f xi x.
 2 

( )
n
This means that our volume is approximately: V   2 xi f xi x . A picture of
i =1
the approximating shells is below.

To get the volume exactly we take the limit as n goes to infinity:

( )
n
V = lim  2 xi f xi x .
n→
i =1
b
We recognize the rightmost sum as a definite integral! Thus, V =  2 xf ( x ) dx .
a
Note: Geometrically, x represents the radius of the shell and f(x) represents the height of the shell.
Cylindrical Shell Method
Volume of a Solid of Revolution (w/ a vertical axis of rotation)
If S is a solid that lies between x = a & x = b whose volume can be computed using cylindrical shells, then
b
the volume of S is given by V =  2 rh dx
a

where r is the radius of any cylindrical shell and h is the height of any cylindrical shell. Both r and h are
functions of x.

Volume of a Solid of Revolution (w/ a horizontal axis of rotation)

If S is a solid that lies between y = a & y = b whose volume can be computed using cylindrical shells, then
b
the volume of S is given by V =  2 rh dy
a

where r is the radius of any cylindrical shell and h is the height of any cylindrical shell. Both r and h are
functions of y.

Example 1: Find the volume when the region enclosed

by the curves y = 2 x − x and y = 0 is rotated about the
2 3

y-axis.

Since the shells stack up left to right, this problem should

be done in terms of x. ℎ

Setup:
We can see that r = x and h = 2 x 2 − x3 .
Therefore the volume of the solid is given by: ሺ2,0ሻ
2
V =  2 ( x ) ( 2 x 2 − x 3 ) dx 𝑟
0

Evaluate:
2
1 1   32  16
2 2
V =  2 ( x ) ( 2 x − x ) dx = 2  ( 2 x − x ) dx = 2  x 4 − x5  = 2 8 −  − 2 0 =
2 3 3 4

0 0 2 5 0  5 5
Example 2: Suppose S is the solid obtained by revolving the region enclosed by y = x and y = x2 about the y-
axis.
ሺ1,1ሻ
a) Find the exact volume of S by using cylindrical shells.

ℎ
Since the shells stack up left to right, this problem should be
done in terms of x.

Setup:
We can see that r = x and h = x − x 2 . 𝑟
Therefore the volume of the solid is given by:
1
V =  2 ( x ) ( x − x 2 ) dx
0

Evaluate:
1
1 1
1 1  1 1  
V =  2 ( x ) ( x − x ) dx = 2  ( x − x ) dx = 2  x3 − x 4  = 2  −  − 2 0 =
2 2 3

0 0 3 4 0 3 4  6

b) Find the exact volume of S by using washers/disks.

Since the washers stack up top to bottom, this problem should be done in terms of y. Because of this we need to
solve our equations for x.
y=x  x= y
y = x2  x = y

Setup:
We can see that R = y and r = y .
Therefore the volume of the solid is given by:
1

V = 
( y) −  ( y )  dy
2
 
2

 
0

Evaluate:
1
1

1

V = 
( ) 1 1  1 1
y −  ( y )  dy =    y − y 2  dy =   y 2 − y 3  =   −  −  ( 0 ) =
2
 
2

  2 3 0  2 3
0
 6
0
Note: As one should expect, we got the same answer in parts (a) and (b)!

Note:
• The shell will always be parallel to the axis of rotation.
• Therefore if “washers/disks are dy”, then “shells are dx” (and vice-versa).

Example 3: Use cylindrical shells to find the volume when the region enclosed by the curves
y = x , y = 0, & x = 1 is rotated about the x-axis.

Since the shells stack up top to bottom, this problem should ሺ1,1ሻ
be done in terms of y. Because of this we need to solve our
equations for x. ℎ
y= x  x = y2

Setup: 𝑟
We can see that r = y and h = 1 − y .
2
ሺ1,0ሻ
Therefore the volume of the solid is given by:
1
V =  2 ( y ) (1 − y 2 ) dy
0

Evaluate:
1
1 1
1 1  1 1 
V =  2 ( y ) (1 − y ) dy = 2  ( y − y ) dy = 2  y 2 − y 4  = 2  −  − 2 0 =
2 3

0 0 2 4 0 2 4 2

Example 4: Find the volume when the region enclosed by the curves y = x − x and y = 0 is rotated about the
2

line x = 2 .

Since the shells stack up left to right, this problem should be done in terms of x.

Setup:
We can see that r = 2 − x and h = x − x 2 . Therefore the volume of the solid is given by:
1
V =  2 ( 2 − x ) ( x − x 2 ) dx
0

Evaluate:
 1
1 1
 1   1 
V =  2 ( 2 − x ) ( x − x ) dx = 2  ( 2 x − 3x + x ) dx = 2  x 2 − x3 + x 4  = 2
2 2 3
1 − 1 + 4  − 2 0 = 2
0 0  4 0