modelling-with-volumes-of-revolution

Adding and subtracting volumes

Why might I need to add or subtract volumes of revolution? 

• As with the area between a curve and a line or the area between 2 curves, a required volume may be created by two functions

  • In this note we focus on volumes created by rotation around the x-axis but the same principles apply to rotation around the y-axis

  • Make sure you are familiar with the methods in Volumes of Revolution

• The volumes created here can be created from areas that do not have the x-axis as one its boundaries

  • A cylinder is created by rotating a rectangle that borders the x-axis around the x-axis by 360°

  • An annular prism (a cylinder with a whole through it – like a toilet roll) is created by rotating a rectangle that does not have a boundary with the x‑axis around the x-axis by 360°

• A rectangle would be defined by two vertical and two horizontal lines

  

  • 

    • Where a, b, c & d are all positive and a < b and c < d

  • The volume of revolution of this rectangle would be

    • 

How do I know whether to add or subtract volumes of revolution? 

• When the area to be rotated around an axis has more than one function (and an axis) defining its boundary it can be trickier to tell whether to add or subtract volumes of revolution

  • It will depend on

    • The nature of the functions and their points of intersection

    • Whether rotation is around the x-axis or the y-axis 

• Consider the region R, bounded by a curve, a line and the -axis, in the diagram below

• If R is rotated around the -axis the solid of revolution formed will have a ‘hole’ in its centre

  

  • Think in 2D and area

    • “region under the