UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

5.2. Volume of a Solid of Revolution

The definite integral can also be used to find the volume of a solid that is obtained by revolving a
plane region about a horizontal or vertical line that does not pass through the plane. The type of
solid generated may be made up of one of three types of elements—disks, rings or washers, or
cylindrical shells—each of which requires a different approach in setting up the definite integral to
determine its volume.

A. Disk Method
If the axis of revolution is a boundary of the plane region and the rectangular element/strip that
was drawn perpendicular to the axis of revolution, then, the disk method is used to find the
volume of the solid. The cross section of a disk is a circle with area , hence, the volume of each
disk is equal to its area times its thickness . Take note that this volume is formed by rotating
the element taken from the area between curve ( ), lines and about
the axis of revolution.
 If Vertical Element/Strip is used:

V π
b

V π
a

where:
This method can be visualized by considering a
thin vertical rectangular element extending from
the upper bounding curve y ( ) to the lower
bounding curve which is the indicated axis
of revolution. Summing up all of the volumes
of disks generated by revolving about the axis
of revolution all the vertical rectangular strips in
the interval [a, b]will give the total volume.
 If Horizontal Element/Strip is used:

V π
d

V π
c

where:

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 165

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

Example 3. Find the volume of the solid generated

by revolving:
a. about the x-axis the area bounded by and
Solution: Parabola and the x-axis ( )intersect at ( )and ( ) The
rectangular element/strip is perpendicular and touches the axis of revolution (the x-axis) which is
a boundary of the area revolved about the axis. Hence, the disk method applies. The volume of
the solid generated is given by equation
V ∫ ∫ ( ) .
V ∫ [( ) ( )]

V ( )

V [ ]

V * +

V [ ( ) ( ) ( ) ] [ ]

V ( ) [ ]

V [ ] [ ]
( )
V

b. about the y-axis the area bounded by

Solution: The points of intersection are ( ) ( ) ( ).Use the disk method since the
rectangular element/slice is perpendicular and touches the axis which is one of the boundaries of the
area.
V ∫ ∫ ( )

V [ ]

V ( ) * +

V * √ + ( )

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 166

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

A. Ring/Washer Method
If the area between two curves, say ( ) ( ) in the interval [a, b] is rotated about the indicated
axis of revolution, say , a ring is formed with the outer radius ( ) ; the inner radius
( ) and the height This manner of finding the volume of the solid of revolution is called
the ring or washer method. This method is used when the rectangular element/strip of area is
perpendicular to but does not touch the axis. The volume of the ring formed is calculated using the
formula below.

V π( )
b

V
a

When VEA is used:

a f e

*** The above definitions are based on the axis of

revolution positioned below the vertical strip
of area. The definitions change depending on
the position of the element of area relative to
the indicated axis of revolution.
When HEA is used: a f e
a f e

*** The above definitions are based on the axis of revolution positioned at the left of the
horizontal strip of area. Similarly, definitions change depending on the position of the
element of area relative to the indicated axis of revolution.

*** Observe also that and will change depending on the position of the indicated axis of
revolution. Take note that is not ( ) .

Example 4. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the indicated axis the region
bounded by
a. the x-axis and using a vertical rectangular element or strip.
Solution: The chosen vertical rectangular element or strip is perpendicular to but does not touch
the axis. Moreover, the axis of revolution is not a boundary of the region bounded by the given
curves. Hence, we use the ring or washer method. The points of intersection are ( ) ( ) and
( )
V ( )
Where:

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 167

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

V [ ]

V * +

V *( ) ( )+

d using a vertical element.

Solution: Choosing a vertical element or strip, a ring/washer is formed since the strip is
perpendicular and does not touch the axis of revolution. Therefore,
( )
Where:

[( ) ]

[ ]

* ( ) +

V *( ) ( )+ ( )

c. about , using a horizontal rectangular element or strip.

Solution: Choosing a horizontal element of area
V ( )
Where: ( )

( )

V [( ) ]

V ∫ ( )

V * ( )+ *( ) ( )+

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 168

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

Example 5. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the x-axis the region
bounded by √ Use a vertical rectangular element of area.
Solution: Using VEA generates a ring or washer. Hence,
V

Where: √ √

V [ ]

V [ ]

V * ( ) + * ( ) ( )+

V * + * ( )+ * + [ ]

We take the integral from to however; the calculated volume is

then multiplied by 2.

V [ ]

V [ ] * ( ) +

* + ( ) ( )

C. Cylindrical Shell Method

If the chosen rectangular element/strip taken from the area bounded by the given curves is
parallel to the axis of revolution, then, the cylindrical shell method will be used to find the volume
of the solid. The volume of the cylindrical shell is equal to the (circumference)x(height)
x(thickness). Consider the figure given at the right, the volume of the cylindrical shell generated by
revolving the rectangular strip about in the interval [a, b] is found using the formula

b
V π V ∫a π

Using VEA, a f e

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 169

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

Using HEA, a f e

If the axis of revolution is vertical, the radius and height should be expressed in terms of x. If,
however, the axis of revolution is horizontal, the radius and height should be expressed in terms
of y. Also, take note that the and in the integrands represent the radii of the cylindrical shells
or the distance between the cylindrical shell and the axis of revolution.

Example 6. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the x-axis the area bounded
by and
Solution: The points of intersection of and are ( )and ( ) Choosing HEA
generates a cylindrical shell since the strip is parallel to the axis of revolution which is
the x-axis. :

Thus, V
V √

V ( )

V * +

V [ ( ) ]
V ( )

Example 7. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the line the region
bounded by curves √ . Use HEA.
Solution: Cylindrical shell method is used since the horizontal element of area is parallale to the
axis of revolution The points of intersection are ( )( ) and √ .

√ ( ) √

V ( ) √

V [ ]

V * ( ) ( ) +

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 170

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

V * √ √ +

V [ √ √ ( ) ( )] [ ]

[ √ √ ]

√ √
* +

[ √ ] √

Example 8. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the y-axis the region
bounded by √ √ and the coordinate axes.

Solution: The bounding curves intersect at √ ( ) ( ). Using VEA generates a

cylindrical shell since the strip of element of area is parallel to the y-axis, the indicated
axis of revolution. Hence,
V

√ √

V √
√

V √

√
( )
V * ( )+

√
V *[ √( ) ]+

V [( ) ] ( )

Example 9. Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by
( ) and the y-axis about the line .
Solution: The points of intersection of ( ) and the
y-axis are ( ) and ( ). Choosing HEA, a cylindrical shell is
formed with element of volume given by equation
V
( )

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 171

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

( )

( )

V ( )[ ( ) ]

V ( )( )

V ( )

V ( )

V * +

V [ ] [ ]

V [ ]

( )

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 172

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

SAQ21

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the indicated axis of revolution the area
bounded by the given curves using the appropriate method.

1. ; about the –axis

about the x-axis

3. , the x-axis; about line

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 173

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

4. about

5. about the y-axis

6. about the x-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 174

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

7. about the x-axis

√

8. about the x-axis

√

9. √ about the x-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 175

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

SAQ22

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the indicated axis of revolution the area
bounded by the given curves using the appropriate method.

1. about the x-axis

2. about

3. ; about the x-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 176

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

4. about the line

5. about

6. and the coordinate axes in quadrant 1; about the y-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 177

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

7. √ about

8. about

9. about the y-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 178

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

ACTIVITY 4.2

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving about the indicated axis of revolution the area
bounded by the given curves using the appropriate method.

1. about

2. the x-axis; about the y-axis

3. ( )
the y-axis; about the y-axis

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 179

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

4. the x-axis; about

5. the coordinate axes; about the x-axis

√

6. , the x-axis; about

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 180

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

7. ; about the x-axis

8. the x-axis; about

9. ( ) the y-axis; about

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 181

UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

10. The semi-hyperbola √ the y-axis,

about

11. √ the x-axis; about the x-axis

12. about

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 182

 UNIT 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL

ANSWERS TO SAQ21

( )
1. 6.
2. 7. ( )
3. 8.
4. 9.
5.

ANSWERS TO SAQ22

1. ( ) 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9. ( )

5.

ANSWERS TO ACTIVITY 5.2

1. 7. ( )

2. ( ) 8.

3. 9.

4. ( ) 10.

5. √ 11.
√

6. ( ) 12.

Integral Calculus Module 13 – Volume of a Solid of Revolution Page 183