MODULE OVERVIEW

This module will discuss about solving for volumes

generated when an area is revolved about a given axis.
This is another application of definite integration. The
students will learn the different ways of solving for volumes
of solid of revolution.

After every sub-topic are illustrative examples with

comprehensive explanation of the solutions. At the end of
every lesson, there are problem exercises to be solved and
should be submitted before or during the set date. Late
submissions will incur deduction of points.

Engr. KISSA P. BANAWIS LEARNING OUTCOMES

Instructor I
09162417934 At the end of this module, you should be able to:
[email protected] 1. familiarize the different methods of solving volume of
revolution, and
2. use the appropriate method in solving volume of solid of
revolution.

LESSON 1: VOLUME OF SOLID OF REVOLUTION

Solid of Revolution is obtained by revolving a region in a plane about a line

that does not intersect the region. The line about which the rotation takes place is
called the axis of revolution.

Let f be a continuous function such that f (x)  0 for a ≤ x ≤ b. Consider the

region R under the graph of f, above the x axis, and between x = a and x = b. (See the
figure below.) If R is revolved about the x axis, the resulting solid is a solid of
revolution.
 Definition of Volume

Let S be a solid that lies between x = a and

x = b. If the cross-sectional area of A in the plane
Px, through x and perpendicular to the x-axis, is
A(x), where A is a continuous function, then the
volume of S is

𝒃
V = ∫𝒂 𝑨(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙

When we use this formula, it is important to remember that A(x) is the area of
a moving cross-section obtained by slicing through perpendicular to the
x-axis.

LESSON 2: METHODS IN SOLVING FOR VOLUME OF SOLID OF

REVOLUTION

2.1. DISC METHOD

a. R is revolved about x-axis. The volume of the region R, with its

differential part represented by the vertical strip having height of y and
thickness of dx, as shown in the figure, as it is revolved about x-axis is
computed as
𝑏
V = ∫𝑎 𝐴(𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑏
V = ∫𝑎 𝜋𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥
𝒃
V = 𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒚𝟐 𝒅𝒙

dx = thickness of the
disc R
y=r y = r = radius

a b

Acircle = π r2 = π y2

With the vertical strip revolved about the axis, a circular disk is formed.
Hence, the name of this method. The equation is derived from the volume of
a cylinder (V = π r2 h). In the disc formula, radius r = y, and height is the
thickness of the disc or h = dx.

b. R is revolved about y-axis. The volume of the region R, with its

differential part represented by the horizontal strip having length of x and
thickness of dy, as shown in the figure, as it is revolved about y-axis is
computed as
𝑏
V = ∫𝑎 𝐴(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦
𝑏
V = ∫𝑎 𝜋𝑥 2 𝑑𝑦
𝒃
V = 𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒚

2. WASHER METHOD

Consider the region between x = a and x = b and lying between x1 and

x2. Then the volume V of the solid of revolution obtained by revolving this
region about the y-axis is given by the formula
𝒃
V = 𝝅 ∫𝒂 (𝒙𝟏 𝟐 − 𝒙𝟐 𝟐 ) 𝒅𝒚
 As the region is revolved about y-axis,
taking the horizontal strip as its representative,
a washer is formed.

To better understand the equation, we

compare it to the volume of a washer which
take into consideration the outer and inner
radius, ro and ri, respectively, and height h
V = (π ro2 - π ri2) h = π (ro2 - ri2) h

Replacing ro with x1, ri with

x2,and h with dy, V = π (x12 – x22)
dy

x1 = outer
And since the washer is distributed
radius
from a to b, we arrive at the
equation x2 = inner
𝒃 radius
V= 𝝅 ∫𝒂 (𝒙𝟏 𝟐 − 𝒙𝟐 𝟐 ) 𝒅𝒚
For regions revolved about x-
axis, you just change the variables
𝒃
V = 𝝅 ∫𝒂 (𝒚𝟏 𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 𝟐 ) 𝒅𝒙

3. CYLINDRICAL SHELL METHOD

Consider the solid of revolution obtained by revolving about the x axis the
region R in the first quadrant between the x axis and the curve y = f(x), and lying
between a and b. Then the volume of the solid is given by
𝒃
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒙 𝒚 𝒅𝒚

As the region is revolved about x-axis, taking the horizontal strip as its
representative, a cylindrical shell is formed. Originally, the volume of a
cylindrical shell is V = 2 π r h t, in which 2 π r is the circumference, where r is
the radius from the center of the strip, h is its height and t is the thickness.

Replacing the circumference with 2 π y, height with x, and thickness

with dy.

V = 2 π x y dy

and since the strip is distributed from a to b, we arrive at the equation

𝒃
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒙 𝒚 𝒅𝒚

For regions revolved about y-axis, you just change the variables
𝒃
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒙 𝒚 𝒅𝒙

BUT, it may not always be the case for the height. It will depend on the
curve and the axis of revolution. It is therefore important to have an accurate
graph and know the parameters of your equation. Like in the following figure
where we arrive at the equation
𝒃
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝒂 (𝒙𝟏 − 𝒙𝟐 ) 𝒚 𝒅𝒚

For regions revolved about y-axis, you just change the variables
𝒃
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝒂 𝒙 (𝒚𝟏 − 𝒚𝟐 ) 𝒅𝒙

NOTE: You will have to decide on what method to use in a particular

problem. You should choose the method that will make your solution
shorter and easier. You just have to take into consideration the axis of
rotation and the differential strip – if horizontal or vertical. But
whichever method you choose, as long as your process is correct, you
should arrive with the same and accurate answer.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

1. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating y = √𝒙 about the x-

axis the region under the curve from 0 to 1.

Solution:
This is the region of y = √𝑥. Rotating this region about x-axis results to
the following solid
When we slice through the point x, we get a disk with radius √𝑥.

The solid lies between x = 0 and x = 1, so its volume is

𝟏
V = 𝝅 ∫𝟎 𝒚𝟐 𝒅𝒙 , where y = √𝒙
1
1 2 1 𝑥2 (1)2
V = 𝜋 ∫0 (√𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜋 [ 2 ] = 𝜋 [ − 0]=
0 2
𝝅
V= cu. units
𝟐

2. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded
by y = x3, y = 8, and x = 0 about the y-axis.

Solution:

Because the region is rotated about the y-axis, it makes sense to slice
the solid perpendicular to the y-axis and therefore to integrate with respect to
y. If we slice at height y, we get a circular disk with radius x, where x = 3√𝑦.

Since the solid lies between y = 0 and y = 8, its volume is

𝟖
V = 𝝅 ∫𝟎 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒚 , where x = 𝟑√𝒚
8
8 2 8 𝑥 5/3 (8)5/3
V = 𝜋 ∫0 ( 𝟑√𝒚) 𝑑𝑦 = 𝜋 ∫0 𝑦 2/3 𝑑𝑦 = 3𝜋 [ ] = 3𝜋 [ − 0]
5 0 5
𝟗𝟔𝝅
V= cu. units
𝟓

3. The region R enclosed by the curves y = x and y = x 2 is rotated about

the x-axis. Find the volume of the resulting solid.

Solution:
By equating equations of the curves, y = x and y = x2,
x = x2, x = 1 where y = 1
also, letting x = 0 leads to y = 0, which is both true for both equations of the
curves. This means that the intersections of the curves are at the points (0, 0)
and (1, 1). The region between them, the solid of rotation, and a cross-section
perpendicular to the x-axis are shown in following figures. A cross-section in
the plane has the shape of a washer (an annular ring) with inner radius and
outer radius

Therefore the volume is

𝟏
V = 𝝅 ∫𝟎 (𝒚𝟏 𝟐 − 𝒚𝟐 𝟐 ) 𝒅𝒙 , where y1 = x and y2 = x2
1
1 1 𝑥3 𝑥5 (1)3 (1)5
V = 𝜋 ∫0 [(𝒙)2 − (𝒙𝟐 )2 ] 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜋 ∫0 [𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 ] 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜋 [ 3 − ] =𝜋 [ − ]−
5 0 3 5
0
𝟐𝝅
V = 𝟏𝟓 cu. units

4. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region in

Example 3 about the line y = 2.

Solution:
 Again the cross-section is a washer, but this time the inner radius is 2 –
x and the outer radius is 2 – x2.

So the volume of is
𝟏
V = ∫𝟎 𝑨(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙 ,
1
V = 𝜋 ∫0 [(2 − 𝑥 2 )2 − (2 − 𝑥 )2 ] 𝑑𝑥
1
= 𝜋 ∫0 [(4 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 4 − 4 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ] 𝑑𝑥
1
= 𝜋 ∫0 [(𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 ] 𝑑𝑥
1
𝑥5 5𝑥 3 4𝑥 2
=𝜋 [5 − + ]
3 2 0
(1)5 5(1)3 4(1)2
=𝜋 [ − + ]−0
5 3 2
𝟖𝝅
V = 𝟏𝟓 cu. units

5. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating about the y-axis the
region bounded by y = 2x2 – x3 and y = 0.

So the volume of is
𝟐
V = 2𝝅 ∫𝟎 𝒙𝒚 𝒅𝒙 ,
2
V = 2𝜋 ∫0 𝑥 (2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 ) 𝑑𝑥
2
= 2𝜋 ∫0 (2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 ) 𝑑𝑥
2
2𝑥 4 𝑥5
= 2𝜋 [ − ]
4 5 0
𝑥4 𝑥 5 2
= 2𝜋 [ 2 − ]
5 0
(2)4 (2)5
= 2𝜋 [ − ]−0
2 5
𝟏𝟔𝝅
V= cu. units
𝟓
6. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded
by y = x – x2 and y = 0 about the line x = 2.

Solution:

The volume of the given solid is

𝟏
V = 𝟐𝝅 ∫𝟎 (𝟐 − 𝒙)𝒚 𝒅𝒙 , with y = x – x2
1
V = 2𝜋 ∫0 (𝟐 − 𝒙)(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟐 ) 𝑑𝑥
1
= 2𝜋 ∫0 (2𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 ) 𝑑𝑥
1
= 2𝜋 ∫0 (2𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 ) 𝑑𝑥
1
2𝑥 2 3𝑥 3 𝑥4
= 2𝜋 [ − + ]
2 3 4 0
1
𝑥4
= 2𝜋 [𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 + ]
4 0
(1)4
= 2𝜋 [(1)2 − (1) + 3 ]−0
4
𝝅
V= cu. units
𝟐

ADDITIONAL ILLUSTIRATIVE PROBLEMS

The solutions of the following problems will be presented through video and
will be uploaded in our FB Group.
 STUDENT ACTIVITY 12

I. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region bounded by the
given curves about the specified line. Sketch the region, the solid, and a
typical disk or washer.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

II. The region enclosed by the given curves is rotated about the specified line.
Find the volume of the resulting solid.

6.
7.
8.

III. Use the method of cylindrical shells to find the volume generated by
rotating the region bounded by the given curves about the yfd-axis. Sketch the
region and a typical shell.

9.
10.