WS1 Volumes

National Taiwan University - Calculus 2 for Class 01-09
Worksheet 1 : Volumes
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Definition of Volume.
For a cylinder (of an arbitrary base), its volume equals to V = Ah where A is its base area and h is its height.
But how do we compute the volume of a general solid S? To do this, we place S in a coordinate system. Suppose
that the x coordinates of S is contained in the interval [a, b] (see the left figure). Then we cut S by a family of
parallel planes, Pxi : x = xi , where a = x1 < x2 < ... < xn = b are constants (see the right figure). Thus we slice
S into many small slabs which are parts of S between two adjacent planes Pxi and Pxi+1 , i = 1, 2, . . . , n − 1. Each
slab can be approximated by a cylinder with height xi+1 − xi = ∆xi and base S ∩ Pxi . If we know the area of
the cross-section S ∩ Px for all x ∈ [a, b] which is denoted by A(x), then the approximating cylinders have volumes
A(xi )∆xi , i = 1, 2, . . . , n − 1. Adding volumes of these cylinders, we can approximate the volume of S by
n−1
X
A(xi )∆xi
i=1
which is a finite Riemann sum of A(x) over the interval [a, b]. When ∆xi tends to 0, the slices become thinner and
thus the approximation becomes better. Hence, we will define the volume of S as the limit of these Riemann sums :
Z b
V (S) = A(x) dx
a
In conclusion, the volume of S is the definite integral of the cross-sectional area sliced by a family of parallel planes.
Exercise 1.
(a) Follow the steps and find the volume of the pyramid whose base is a square with area A and whose height
is h. (Hint: Textbook p 454 1)
• Place the pyramid in a coordinate system. To simplify the computation, we can choose the origin to be
and the x-axis to be .
• Let Px0 be the plane x = x0 . The cross section S ∩ Px0 is a (shape) with area
• Write the volume of S as a definite integral of A(x) = area of S ∩ Px , and compute the volume.
1Geogebra demo : www.geogebra.org/m/AkkphsNF
1
(b) Imitate the above procedure and find the volume of a circular cone whose base is a disc of area A and whose
height is h.
(c) Actually, a pyramid or a circular cone are just special kinds of ‘cones’. Suppose that B is a region on a plane
P and O is a point not on P . A cone with base B and apex O consists all points on line segments that join
the apex O to a point of B. Note that the base B could be a square, a disc, or any irregular shape. If the
area of base is A and the distance from the apex O to the plane P (which is also known as the height of the
cone) is h, can you derive the volume of the cone in terms of A and h?
Volumes of Solids of Revolution
If we revolve a plane region about a line, we obtain a solid of revolution. To compute the
volume of a solid of revolution, we often cut the solid with planes perpendicular to the axis
of revolution. Then the cross sections are just disks or annular rings. Integrating the cross
section areas, we can easily obtain the volume.
2
Exercise 2.
√ 1
(a) Let D be the region under the circle y = 1 − x2 , above the x axis, between lines x = 0 and x = . Rotate
2
D about the x-axis and we obtain a solid S. Find the volume of S.
• Let Px0 be the plane x = x0 , 0 ≤ x0 ≤ 1/2. The cross section S ∩ Px0 is a disk with radius
and area .
• Write the volume of S as a definite integral and compute the volume.
• S is part of a unit ball. Can you compute the volume of a ball with radius r? the volume of a cap of a
ball {(x, y, z) | x2 + y 2 + z 2 ≤ R2 , x ≥ r} where 0 < r < R ?
(b) Let D be the disk {(x, y) | x2 + (y − 2)2 ≤ 1}. Rotate D about the x-axis and we obtain a donuts shape solid
S. Find the volume of S.
• Let Px0 be the plane x = x0 , −1 ≤ x0 ≤ 1. The cross section S ∩ Px0 is a annular ring with outer radius
, inner radius and area .
2
• Write the volume of S as a definite integral and compute the volume.
Volumes by Cylindrical Shells

There is another way to compute the volume of a solid of revolution which is called the Method of Cylindrical Shells.
Consider a solid S obtained by rotating about the y-axis the plane region D bounded by y = f (x) ≥ 0, y = 0, x = a,
and x = b, where 0 ≤ a < b.
To compute its volume, we first divide D by lines x = xi , where a = x0 < x1 < · · · < xn = b. Then the part of D
xi−1 + xi
between x = xi−1 and x = xi is approximated by a rectangle [xi−1 , xi ] × [0, f (x̄i )] where x̄i = . Rotating
2
the rectangle about the y-axis, we obtain a thin cylindrical shell with outer radius xi , inner radius xi−1 , and height
f (x̄i ). Hence this cylindrical shell has volume π(x2i − x2i−1 )f (x̄i ) which is
2π x̄i f (x̄i )∆xi where ∆xi = xi − xi−1 .

a
By adding up volumes of these cylindrical shells and taking limit, we obtain the volume of S :
Z b
V (S) = 2πxf (x) dx.
a
aGeogebra Demo : https://www.geogebra.org/m/ggfye7dj
2Geogebra Demo : https://www.geogebra.org/m/GjrsJvU9
3
Exercise 3.
Let D be the region under y = f (x) = 3x2 − x3 , above the x-axis, from x = 0 to x = 3.
(a) Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating D about the y-axis.
(b) Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating D about the line x = −2.
Hint. Change the outer and inner radii of a cylindrical shell.
√
(c) Let D̃ be the region under y = f (x) = 3x2 − x3 , above y = g(x) = − 9 − x2 , from x = 0 to x = 3. Find the
volume of the solid obtained by rotating D̃ about the y axis.
Hint. Change the height of a cylindrical shell.

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National Taiwan University - Calculus 2 for Class 01-09

and the x-axis to be .

1Geogebra demo : www.geogebra.org/m/AkkphsNF

Volumes of Solids of Revolution

Volumes by Cylindrical Shells

2π x̄i f (x̄i )∆xi where ∆xi = xi − xi−1 .

aGeogebra Demo : https://www.geogebra.org/m/ggfye7dj

2Geogebra Demo : https://www.geogebra.org/m/GjrsJvU9

Hint. Change the outer and inner radii of a cylindrical shell.

Hint. Change the height of a cylindrical shell.

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