7.
3 Volume of Revolution – Shell Method
In the last section, we used the Disk Method to find the Volume of Revolution
formed by:
♦ Revolving y = f(x) about the X axis or a horizontal line parallel to the X axis.
♦ Revolving x = f(y) about the Y axis or a vertical line parallel to the Y axis.
In both cases, the Disk is Perpendicular to the Line of Revolution.
If the Disk is Parallel to the Line of Revolution then finding the volume becomes
a complex washer problem.
For example, find the volume of the solid formed by rotating the region between
the function y = 3x – x2 and the X axis about the line x = –1
Fortunately, there is a another method, called Cylindrical Shells, that is easier
to use than the Washer Method when revolving y = f(x) about the Y axis or
when revolving x = f(y) about the X axis.
The Method looks complicated, but is it actually rather simple!
1 Volumes using the Cylindrical Shell Method
If y = f(x) is Continuous and Nonnegative on the X interval [a,b] then the
Volume V of the solid formed by Revolving the region between y = f(x) and
the X interval [a,b] and around the Vertical Line x = L (where L ≤ a) is:
A Method of Cylindrical Shells is used when the Washer Method of Volume
of Revolution will not work because solving the function y = f(x) for the
the volume integral is too complicated or impossible.
B Make sure that the function f(x) is Nonnegative over the interval [a,b]
and make sure that the line L is Outside the interior of the interval [a,b].
C If the Vertical Line x = L is on the right side (L ≥ b) of the region then
replace the radius (x – L) with the radius (L – x).
D If the region is Bounded by Two Functions, above by y = f(x) and below
by y = g(x), then replace the height f(x) by the height (f(x) – g(x)).
E If revolving the region between the function x = f(y) and the Y axis over
the Y interval [c,d] around the Horizontal Line y = L then draw a picture
and modify the Cylindrical Shell volume integral limits, radius, height,
and width correctly.
EXAMPLE 1 Page 466
Use the Method of Cylindrical Shells to find the Volume of the solid
formed by revolving the region bounded by y = x – x2 and the X axis
about the given line:
A Line x = 0 (Y axis)
Construct and Evaluate
B Line x = –2
Construct only
C Line x = 3
Construct only
EXAMPLE A Not in Textbook
Use the Method of Cylindrical Shells to find the Volume of the solid
formed by revolving the region bounded by x = y – y3 and the Y axis
about the given line:
A Line y = 0 (X axis)
Construct and Evaluate
B Line y = 1
Construct only
C Line y = ─1
Construct only
EXAMPLE B Not in Textbook
Use the Method of Cylindrical Shells to find the Volume of the solid
formed by revolving the region bounded by y = 2x – x2 and y = x
about the given line:
A Line x = 0 (Y axis)
Construct and Evaluate
B Line x = 1
Construct only
EXAMPLE 5 Page 469
