Pretzer - 1

Duane Pretzer

Mr. Acre

AP Calculus

4 March 2019

Solids of Revolution

Calculus is used everywhere in the real world. It is used to shape the many ideas and

concepts that we face every day. One of the concepts that we are faced with everyday in

everything around us is area and volume of not only 2D objects, but that of 3D objects as well.

More specifically in this paper, the volume of a solid of revolution. To begin, one of the many

concepts first learned in Calculus is how to properly find the area under a given curve. When

finding the area under a curve, one may look towards the definite integral. The definite integral

b
of a function has the proper calculus notation of ∫ f (x) dx, where the values of a and b represent
a

the lower and upper limits of the integral of the function respectively. The value f(x) symbolizes

the function that the integral is being done to and dx represents the change in x on the function.
 Pretzer - 2

Figure 1. Definite Integral (Graphically)

The figure above shows the area under a curve for the given function f(x). Each value on

the definite integral equation corresponds to the graph above. They value ‘A’ represents the area

under the curve that is being calculated between the parameters a and b.

Not only can calculus be used to find the area under a curve in regards to the axes, but it

can also be used to find the area between two curves. This can be done by again looking to the

integral.

Figure 2. Area Between Two Curves (x-axis)

 Pretzer - 3

The figure on the previous page shows an example of when the area between two curves

would be applicable in regard to the x-axis.

Two functions, f(x) and g(x) are used in Figure 2 above. The area between the curves is

bounded by the interval [a,b]. To set up the integral, you need to plug in the proper variables for

a and b respectively on the integral sign and look to see which function is above the second

remaining function. In this case, the function f(x) is above the function g(x). With this

information, you will need to subtract the upper function from the lower function, or f(x) - g(x).

Set up in proper integral notation, the equation to find the area between the two curves above

b
would look like this: A = ∫ f (x) − g (x) dx . ​The general format for finding the area between
a

b
two curves is expressed using this equation: A = ∫(upper curve) − (lower curve) dx .
a

If looking at two functions in respect to the y-axis, you would simply look at the

functions from right to left. You can think of it as essentially turning the graphed functions 90

degrees, but instead referencing the intervals according to the y-axis.

 Pretzer - 4

Figure 3. Area Between Two Curves (y-axis)

The figure above shows an example of when the area between two curves would be

applicable in regard to the y-axis.

The same process would apply in regards to the y-axis, except the interval would change

from [a,b] (x-axis) to [c,d] (y-axis). Set up in proper integral notation, the equation to find the

d
area between the two curves above would look like this: A = ∫ f (y) − g (y) dy . ​The general
c

format for finding the area between two curves is expressed using this equation:

d
A = ∫(right curve) − (lef t curve) dy .
c
 Pretzer - 5

Figure 4. Area Between Two Curves Example

The figure above shows an example of when finding the area between two curves would

be applicable. The area being looked at lies between the two graphs​ f 1(x) = √x and

x
f 2(x) = 3 . ​The area between the two curves lies between the interval [0,9].

To find the area (R) between the two curves, we must use the equation referenced above

and fill in the necessary information to calculate the answer. In this case, the equation

b
A = ∫ f 1(x) − f 2(x) dx will be used.
a
 Pretzer - 6

Figure 5. Area Between Two Curves Example Calculation

The figure above shows the calculated area between the two curves f 1(x) = √x and

x
f 2(x) = 3 from the specified interval [0,9] using the area equation specified in Figure 2 above.

The final area (R) between the two curves was calculated to be 4.5u2 .

Not only can the integral and calculus be used to efficiently calculate the area under a

singular curve and between two curves, but it can also be used to find the volume of a solid of

revolution. There are three main methods to find the volume of a solid revolved around a given

axis: disk method, ring method, and shell method.

The disk method is used if the cross section taken of the revolved solid appears to look

like a “disk”. The general equation to find the volume of a revolved solid around the x-axis is
b
given by: V = π ∫ f (x)2 dx . In regard to the y-axis, the function f(x) would instead be in terms of
a

x, or f(y).
 Pretzer - 7

Figure 5. Disk Method Example

The figure above shows an example of when the disk method would be used to find the
b
volume of the revolved solid. The equation V = π ∫ f (x)2 dx was used to find the volume when
a

the solid was revolved around the x-axis between the interval [0,4]. The final volume was

calculated to be 25.1327u3 .

The second method is called the ring method, and this is used when the cross section is

taken perpendicular to the axis of rotation. You can also think of the revolved solid as a “disk

with a hole in it” or a ring, hence the name of the method. The equation to find the volume of a
b
revolved solid according to the ring method is V = π ∫(f (x))2 − (g(x))2 dx. It can also be thought
a

of as subtracting the outer radius of the ring (f(x)) from the inner radius of the ring (g(x)).
 Pretzer - 8

Figure 6. Ring Method Example

The figure above shows the continued example used in Figure 4 except applied to the

ring method of solids of revolution. The two functions were asked to be revolved around the axis

of y =− 2, and once done visually leaves a “hole” in the middle of the solid of revolution. This

indicator lets you know that the ring method must be applied to find the appropriate volume of

the solid. It must be kept in mind that the “radius” of the inner and outer “ring” must be taken

into account according to the axis of revolution of y =− 2 .

 Pretzer - 9

Figure 7. Ring Method Example Calculation

The figure above shows the calculated volume of the revolved solid from the example
b
shown in Figure 6 above. The equation V = π ∫(f (x))2 − (g(x))2 dx was used to find the correct
a

volume of the revolved solid in accordance to the ring method. Since the axis of revolution was

set at y =− 2, two must be added to each “radius” of the ring to account for the extra distance that

was needed to rotate the bounded area. The final volume of the rotated section was calculated to

be 98.9602u3 .

The third way to find the volume of a solid of revolution is the shell method. This method

can be summarized by generating the revolution into cylindrical shells. The equation for shell

method is taken from the derivative of a cylinder, or 2πr. The integral formula for the volume of

b
a solid of revolution in terms of the shell method is V = ∫(2πx(f (x) dx. Keep in mind, if given
a

two functions and asked to solve using the shell method, the equation would change to look like
b b
V = ∫(2πx (f (x) − g (x)) dx or put in simple terms V = ∫(2πx (upper curve − lower curve) dx.
a a
 Pretzer - 10

Figure 8. Shell Method Example

The figure above shows an example of when shell method can be applied to solve a

problem. The area under the curve y = 1x must be rotated around the y-axis and is bound by the

functions x=1 and x=4.

Figure 9. Shell Method Example Calculation

The figure above shows how the volume of the revolved solid was calculated using the

shell method. The graph showed the area to be bounded between the interval [1,4]. The function
 Pretzer - 11

f1(x) was then plugged into the function and the integral was taken, resulting in a calculated

volume of 18.8496u3 .

Another way to find the volume of a solid in calculus is the implication of the cross

section method. Finding volume by cross section can be implemented in many ways. When a

solid is presented on a base, that solid can be divided or “cut” into multiple cross sections, which

vary in terms of which solid the volume must be found. Cross sections can be modeled in many

forms, such as squares, equilateral triangles, isosceles right triangles, semicircles, etc. These

cross sections can be modeled throughout the solid to find its volume. This method can also be

related to the concept of slicing, where ​you “slice” a solid into identical pieces or cross sections,

estimate the volume of each slice, and then add those estimated volumes together, which results

in the sum of the volume of the solid. The slices, in the end, should all be parallel to one another,

and when all the slices are put together, the whole solid should result.

To find the volume using cross sections, the area of the cross section being implemented

must be known.

Square Equilateral Triangle Isosceles Right Semicircle

Triangles
2
A = x2 A = √3/4x A = 1/2x2 A = 1/2πx2

Table 1. Area of Common Cross Sections

The figure above shows the equations of common cross sections that can be used to find

the overall volume of a revolved solid using “slicing” or cross sections. These equations can be

implemented into the integral equation to find the volume.

 Pretzer - 12

Figure 10. Cross Section Example

The figure above shows an example of when the cross section method would be applied

to find the volume of a solid. In this case, the cross sections of the sphere are squares, which are

uniform throughout the solid. The base of this solid is bounded by a circle with the equation

x2 + y 2 = 9 with the indicated cross section taken perpendicular to the x-axis.

Figure 11. Cross Section Example Calculation

The figure above shows the calculation for the volume of the solid using the cross section

method. The area formula for the cross section would need to follow A = x2 , because it’s a

square throughout the solid. Following the equation of the circular base, the side of the solid in

accordance to x, given from the equation x2 + y 2 = 9 would be √9 − x2 . When this function is

substituted into the equation for the area of a square, the square root cancels out and you are left

with 9 − x2 , which is plugged into the integral from [-3,3] to get a final volume of 144u3 .
 Pretzer - 13

The cross section method can also be applied to the example shown in Figures 4 and 6. If

the region (R) is the base of the solid and the cross sections throughout this solid are all isosceles

right triangles perpendicular to the x-axis with one leg on the base, then we can solve for the

volume of the solid made.

It’s known that the two functions that make up the the region (R) are y = √x and

y = 3x . These functions can be used in the final equation when finding the volume. Since each

cross section is an isosceles right triangle, the equation A = 1/2x2 can be referenced when

plugging in the two equations of the region above. Plugged into the integral function, as similar

to how the question in Figure 10 was done above, the equation would look like this:

9
V = 1
2 ∫((√x) − ( 3x ))2 dx. When calculated, the final volume of the solid comes out to be
0

1.35u3 .

Figure 12. Cross Section Calculation Example

The figure above shows the integral plugged into a calculator with its resulting volume.

As explained above, the equation for the area of an isosceles right triangle was used when

finding the volume of the solid by multiplying the two equations that make up the region (R) by
 Pretzer - 14

½ then squaring them (i.e plugging the subtracted equations into the area of an isosceles right

triangle → A = 1/2x2 )​. The integral was then taken from an interval of [0,9].

In calculus, the integral can be applied to many questions of discussion. Whether it be

finding the area between two curves, or the area between a curve and a major axis. Integrals have

opened many doors to finding volume as well, as shown from solids of revolution through the

disk, ring, and shell methods. This versatile technique in calculus can be applied in many ways,

even through more creative approaches such as the cross-section method and “slicing” a solid of

revolution. Through these methods, techniques, and innovative approaches to problems, the

integral and solids of revolution go hand in hand to expand on what is known about volume,

area, and how it can be achieved through calculus.

 Pretzer - 15

Works Cited

Dawkins, Paul. “Section 6-2 : Area Between Curves.” ​Calculus II - Approximating Definite

Integrals​, 30 May 2018, tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/AreaBetweenCurves.aspx.

Dawkins, Paul. “Section 6-3 : Volume With Rings.” ​Calculus II - Approximating Definite

Integrals​, 22 Aug. 2018, tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/VolumeWithRings.aspx.

Khan, Samir, et al. “Shell Method.” ​Brilliant Math & Science Wiki​, 3 Mar. 2019,

brilliant.org/wiki/shell-method/.

Strang, Gilbert, and Edwin Herman. “6.2: Determining Volumes by Slicing.” ​Mathematics

LibreTexts​, Libretexts, 22 Oct. 2018,

math.libretexts.org/Courses/Monroe_Community_College/MTH_211_Calculus_II/Chapt

er_6%3A_Applications_of_Integration/6.2%3A_Determining_Volumes_by_Slicing.

“Volumes of Solids of Revolution.” ​Cliffs Notes​, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,

www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/calculus/calculus/applications-of-the-definite-integral/

volumes-of-solids-of-revolution.

“Volumes of Solids with Known Cross Sections.” ​What Is Anatomy and Physiology?,​

www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/calculus/calculus/applications-of-the-definite-integral/

volumes-of-solids-with-known-cross-sections.