Volume of Revolution
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|ImageDesc=When finding the volume of revolution of solids, in many cases the problem is not with the calculus, but with actually visualizing the solid. To find the volume of a solid like a cylinder, usually we use the formula <math>{\pi} {r^2} h</math>. Alternatively we can imagine chopping up the cylinder into thin cylindrical plates, much like slicing up bread, computing the volume of each slice, each of which is <math>{\Delta x }</math> units thick , then summing up the volumes of all the slices.[[Image:bread.gif|left|thumb| The disc method is much like slicing up bread and computing the volume of each slice http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/sectionmethod/sectionmethod.html]] | |ImageDesc=When finding the volume of revolution of solids, in many cases the problem is not with the calculus, but with actually visualizing the solid. To find the volume of a solid like a cylinder, usually we use the formula <math>{\pi} {r^2} h</math>. Alternatively we can imagine chopping up the cylinder into thin cylindrical plates, much like slicing up bread, computing the volume of each slice, each of which is <math>{\Delta x }</math> units thick , then summing up the volumes of all the slices.[[Image:bread.gif|left|thumb| The disc method is much like slicing up bread and computing the volume of each slice http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/sectionmethod/sectionmethod.html]] | ||
| - | + | In general, given a function, we can graph it then revolve the area under the curve between two specific x-coordinates about a fixed axis to obtain a solid called the '''solid of revolution'''. The volume of the solid can then be computed using the '''disc method'''. <br> | |
Note: There are other ways of computing the volumes of complicated solids other than the disc method.<br> [[Image:area.jpg|left|thumb|200px]] | Note: There are other ways of computing the volumes of complicated solids other than the disc method.<br> [[Image:area.jpg|left|thumb|200px]] | ||
Revision as of 15:40, 8 July 2009
| Solid of revolution |
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Contents |
Basic Description
This image shows the solid formed after revolving the region bounded by
,
,
and
, about the
-axisA More Mathematical Explanation
- Note: understanding of this explanation requires: *Pre-calculus and elementary calculus
When finding the volume of revolution of solids, in many cases the problem is not with the calculus, [...]
. Alternatively we can imagine chopping up the cylinder into thin cylindrical plates, much like slicing up bread, computing the volume of each slice, each of which is
units thick , then summing up the volumes of all the slices.In general, given a function, we can graph it then revolve the area under the curve between two specific x-coordinates about a fixed axis to obtain a solid called the solid of revolution. The volume of the solid can then be computed using the disc method.
In the disc method, we imagine chopping up the solid into thin cylindrical plates, each
units thick, calculating the volume of each plate, then summing up the volumes of all plates.
For example, let's consider a region bounded by
,
,
and
<-------Plotting the graph of this area,
), then we get the main image on the right hand side of the pageTo find the volume of the solid using the disc method:
Volume of one disc =
where
- which is the function- is the radius of the circular cross-section and
is the thickness of each disc
Volume of all dics:
Volume of all discs =
, with
ranging from 0 to 1
If we make the slices infinitesmally thick, the Riemann sum becomes the same as:
Evaluating this intergral,
volume of solid=
References
Bread image http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/sectionmethod/sectionmethod.html
Revolving image http://mathdemos.gcsu.edu/mathdemos/sectionmethod/sectionmethod.html
Teaching Materials
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Leave a message on the discussion page by clicking the 'discussion' tab at the top of this image page.



