Applications of Integrals · Volume

Disk Method

V=πab[f(x)]2dxV = \pi \int_a^b [f(x)]^2 \, dx

Volume of revolution about the x-axis when there is no gap between the curve and the axis. Each cross-section is a disk with radius f(x).

Variables

SymbolNameUnit
aLeft bound
bRight bound

Worked examples

Find the volume when y = √x is revolved about the x-axis on [0, 4].
  1. V = π ∫₀⁴ (√x)² dx = π ∫₀⁴ x dx = π[x²/2]₀⁴ = π(8) = 8π

Answer: 8π ≈ 25.13

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