Section 6-3 : Volumes of Solids of Revolution / Method of Rings

1. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y = x , y = 3 and the y-axis about the y-axis.

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative disk.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative disk can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative disk can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.
Here are a couple of sketches of a representative disk. The image on the left shows a representative
disk with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative disk with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the disk.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the disk. Because we are using disks that are centered on
the y-axis we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of y. This in turn means that we’ll
need to rewrite the equation of the boundary curve to get into terms of y.

Here is another sketch of a representative disk with all of the various quantities we need put into it.
As we can see from the sketch the disk is centered on the y-axis and placed at some y. The radius of the
disk is the distance from the y-axis to the curve defining the edge of the solid. In other words,

Radius = y 2

The area of the disk is then,

( y2 ) π y4
2
A ( y ) π ( Radius ) π=
2
= =

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

For the limits on the integral we can see that the “first” disk in the solid would occur at y = 0 and the
“last” disk would occur at y = 3 . Our limits are then : 0 ≤ y ≤ 3 .

The volume is then,

3 3
=V ∫0
π=
y 4 dy π y5
=
1
5 0
243
5 π

2. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y= 7 − x 2 , x = −2 , x = 2 and the x-axis about the x-axis.

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative disk.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative disk can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative disk can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.
Here are a couple of sketches of a representative disk. The image on the left shows a representative
disk with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative disk with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the disk.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the disk. Because we are using disks that are centered on
the x-axis we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of x. Therefore, the equation of the
curve will need to be in terms of x (which in this case it already is).

Here is another sketch of a representative disk with all of the various quantities we need put into it.

As we can see from the sketch the disk is centered on the x-axis and placed at some x. The radius of the
disk is the distance from the x-axis to the curve defining the edge of the solid. In other words,
 Radius = 7 − x 2

The area of the disk is then,

A ( x ) = π ( Radius ) = π ( 7 − x 2 ) = π ( 49 − 14 x 2 + x 4 )
2 2

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

For the limits on the integral we can see that the “first” disk in the solid would occur at x = −2 and the
“last” disk would occur at x = 2 . Our limits are then : −2 ≤ x ≤ 2 .

The volume is then,

∫ π ( 49 − 14 x + x 4 ) dx= π ( 49 x − 143 x 3 + 15 x 5 ) =
2 2
V= 2 2012
15 π
−2 −2

3. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by x = y 2 − 6 y + 10 and x = 5 about the y-axis.

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

Here is the work used to determine the intersection points (we’ll need these later).
 y 2 − 6 y + 10 =
5
y2 − 6 y + 5 =0
( y − 5)( y − 1=) 0 ⇒ y= 1, y= 5 ⇒ ( 5,1) & ( 5,5)
Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.

Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
the y-axis we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of y. Therefore, the equation of the
curves will need to be in terms of y (which in this case they already are).

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.

As we can see from the sketch the ring is centered on the y-axis and placed at some y. The inner radius
of the ring is the distance from the y-axis to the curve defining the inner edge of the solid. The outer
radius of the ring is the distance from the y-axis to the curve defining the outer edge of the solid. In
other words,

Inner Radius = y 2 − 6 y + 10 Outer Radius = 5

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π ( 5 ) − ( y 2 − 6 y + 10 )  = π ( −75 + 120 y − 56 y 2 + 12 y 3 − y 4 )
2 2

 

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the intersection points shown in the graph from Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the solid
would occur at y = 1 and the “last” ring would occur at y = 5 . Our limits are then : 1 ≤ y ≤ 5 .

The volume is then,

 ∫ π ( −75 + 120 y − 56 y + 12 y 3 − y 4 ) dy
5
2
V=
1

=π ( −75 y + 60 y 2 − 563 y 3 + 3 y 4 − 15 y 5 ) = 1088

5
15 π
1

4. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y = 2 x 2 and y = x 3 about the x-axis.

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

Here is the work used to determine the intersection points (we’ll need these later).

x3 = 2 x 2
x3 − 2 x 2 =
0
x2 ( x − 2) = 0 ⇒ x = 0, x = 2 ⇒ ( 0, 0 ) & ( 2,8)
Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.
Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.

Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
the x-axis we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of x. Therefore, the equation of the
curves will need to be in terms of x (which in this case they already are).

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.
As we can see from the sketch the ring is centered on the x-axis and placed at some x. The inner radius
of the ring is the distance from the x-axis to the curve defining the inner edge of the solid. The outer
radius of the ring is the distance from the x-axis to the curve defining the outer edge of the solid. In
other words,

3
=Inner Radius x= Outer Radius 2 x 2

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π ( 2 x 2 ) − ( x3 )  = π ( 4 x 4 − x 6 )
2 2

 

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the intersection points shown in the graph from Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the solid
would occur at x = 0 and the “last” ring would occur at x = 2 . Our limits are then : 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 .

The volume is then,

∫ π ( 4x − x 6 ) dx = π ( 54 x 5 − 71 x 7 ) =
2 2
V= 4 256
35 π
0 0

5. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y = 6e −2 x and y =6 + 4 x − 2 x 2 between x = 0 and x = 1 about the line y = −2 .

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

For the intersection point on the left a quick check by plugging x = 0 into both equations shows that
the intersection point is in fact ( 0, 6 ) as we might have guessed from the graph. We’ll be needing this
point in a bit. From the sketch of the region it is also clear that there is no intersection point on the
right.

Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.
Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
a horizontal axis (i.e. parallel to the x-axis) we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of x.
Therefore, the equations of the curves will need to be in terms of x (which in this case they already are).

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.
From the sketch we can see the ring is centered on the line y = −2 and placed at some x.

The inner radius of the ring is the distance from the axis of rotation to the x-axis (a distance of 2)
followed by the distance from the x-axis to the curve defining the inner edge of the solid (a distance of
6e −2 x ).

Likewise, the outer radius of the ring is the distance from the axis of rotation to the x-axis (again, a
distance of 2) followed by the distance from the x-axis to the curve defining the outer edge of the solid
(a distance of 6 + 4 x − 2 x 2 ).

So, the inner and outer radii are,

Inner Radius =2 + 6e −2 x Outer Radius =2 + 6 + 4 x − 2 x 2 =8 + 4 x − 2 x 2

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π ( 8 + 4 x − 2 x 2 ) − ( 2 + 6e −2 x ) 
2 2

 
= π ( 60 + 64 x − 16 x 2 − 16 x3 + 4 x 4 − 24e −2 x − 36e −4 x )

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the graph from Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the solid would occur at x = 0 and the
“last” ring would occur at x = 1 . Our limits are then : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 .
The volume is then,

∫ π ( 60 + 64 x − 16 x − 16 x 3 + 4 x 4 − 24e −2 x − 36e −4 x ) dx
1
2
V
=
0

= π ( 60 x + 32 x 2 − 163 x3 − 4 x 4 + 54 x 5 + 12e −2 x + 9e −4 x ) = ( + 12e −2 + 9e −4 ) π

1
937
15
0

6. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y = 10 − 6 x + x 2 , y = −10 + 6 x − x 2 , x = 1 and x = 5 about the line y = 8 .

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.
Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
a horizontal axis (i.e. parallel to the x-axis) we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of x.
Therefore, the equations of the curves will need to be in terms of x (which in this case they already are).

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.
From the sketch we can see the ring is centered on the line y = 8 and placed at some x.

The inner radius of the ring is then the distance from the axis of rotation to the curve defining the inner
edge of the solid. To determine a formula for this first notice that the axis of rotation is a distance of 8
from the x-axis. Next, the curve defining the inner edge of the solid is a distance of y = 10 − 6 x + x 2
from the x-axis. The inner radius is then the difference between these two distances or,

Inner Radius =8 − (10 − 6 x + x 2 ) =−2 + 6 x − x 2

The outer radius is computed in a similar manner. It is the distance from the axis of rotation to the x-
axis (a distance of 8) and then it continues below the x-axis until it reaches the curve defining the outer
edge of the solid. So, we need to add these two distances but we need to be careful because the
“lower” function is in fact negative value and so the distance of the point on the lower function from the
( )
x-axis is in fact : − −10 + 6x − x 2 as is shown on the sketch. The negative in front of the equation
makes sure that the negative value of the function is turned into a positive quantity (which we need for
our distance). The outer radius is then the sum of these two distances or,

Outer Radius = 8 − ( −10 + 6 x − x 2 ) = 18 − 6 x + x 2

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π (18 − 6 x + x 2 ) − ( −2 + 6 x − x 2=
)  π ( 320 − 192 x + 32 x 2 )
2 2

 

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the graph from Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the solid would occur at x = 1 and the
“last” ring would occur at x = 5 . Our limits are then : 1 ≤ x ≤ 5 .

The volume is then,

∫ π ( 320 − 192 x + 32 x ) dx= π ( 320 x − 96 x 2 + 323 x3 ) =

5 5
V= 2 896
3 π
1 1

7. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by =x y 2 − 4 and x= 6 − 3 y about the line x = 24 .

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.

To get the intersection points shown on the sketch all we need to do is set the two equations equal and
solve (we’ll need these in a bit).

y2 − 4 = 6 − 3y
y 2 + 3 y − 10 =
0
( y + 5)( y − 2 ) =
0 ⇒ −5, y =
y= 2 ⇒ ( 21, −5) & ( 0, 2 )
Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.

Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).

Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
a vertical axis (i.e. parallel to the y-axis) we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of y.
Therefore, the equation of the curves will need to be in terms of y (which in this case they already are).

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.
From the sketch we can see the ring is centered on the line x = 24 and placed at some y.

The inner radius of the ring is then the distance from the axis of rotation to the curve defining the inner
edge of the solid. To determine a formula for this first notice that the axis of rotation is a distance of 24
from the y-axis. Next, the curve defining the inner edge of the solid is a distance of x= 6 − 3 y from the
y-axis. The inner radius is then the difference between these two distances or,

Inner Radius = 24 − ( 6 − 3 y ) = 18 + 3 y

The outer radius is computed in a similar manner but is a little trickier. In this case the curve defining
the outer edge of the solid occurs on both the left and right of the y-axis.

Let’s first look at the case as shown in the sketch above. In this case the value of the function defining
the outer edge of the solid is to the left of the y-axis and so has a negative value. The distance of this
( )
point from the y-axis is then − y 2 − 4 where the minus sign turns the negative function value into a
positive value that we need for distance. The outer radius for this case is then the sum of the distance
of the axis of rotation to the y-axis (a distance of 24) and the distance of the curve defining the outer
edge to the y-axis (which we found above).

If the curve defining the outer edge of the solid is to the right of the y-axis then it will have a positive
value and so the distance of points on the curve and the y-axis is just y 2 − 4 . We don’t need the minus
sign in this case because the function value is already positive, which we need for distance. The outer
radius in this case is then the distance from the axis of rotation to the y-axis (a distance of 24) minus this
new distance.

Nicely enough in either case the outer radius is then,

Outer Radius = 24 − ( y 2 − 4 ) = 28 − y 2
Note that in cases like this where the curve defining an edge has both positive and negative values the
final equation of the radius (inner or outer depending on the problem) will be the same. You just need
to be careful in setting up the case you choose to look at. If you get the first case set up correctly you
won’t need to do the second as the formula will be the same.

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π ( 28 − y 2 ) − (18 + 3 y ) = π ( 460 − 108 y − 65 y 2 + y 4 )
2 2

 

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the intersection points of the two curves we found in Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the
solid would occur at y = −5 and the “last” ring would occur at y = 2 . Our limits are then : −5 ≤ y ≤ 2 .

The volume is then,

∫ π ( 460 − 108 y − 65 y = π ( 460 y − 54 y 2 − 653 y 3 + 15 y 5 ) =

+ y 4 ) dy
2 2
V= 2 31556
15 π
−5 −5

8. Use the method of disks/rings to determine the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by =y 2 x + 1 , x = 4 and y = 3 about the line x = −4 .

Hint : Start with sketching the bounded region.

Step 1
We need to start the problem somewhere so let’s start “simple”.

Knowing what the bounded region looks like will definitely help for most of these types of problems
since we need to know how all the curves relate to each other when we go to set up the area formula
and we’ll need limits for the integral which the graph will often help with.

Here is a sketch of the bounded region with the axis of rotation shown.
Hint : Give a good attempt at sketching what the solid of revolution looks like and sketch in a
representative ring.

Note that this can be a difficult thing to do especially if you aren’t a very visual person. However, having
a representative ring can be of great help when we go to write down the area formula. Also, getting the
representative ring can be difficult without a sketch of the solid of revolution. So, do the best you can at
getting these sketches.

Step 2
Here is a sketch of the solid of revolution.

Here are a couple of sketches of a representative ring. The image on the left shows a representative
ring with the front half of the solid cut away and the image on the right shows a representative ring with
a “wire frame” of the back half of the solid (i.e. the curves representing the edges of the of the back half
of the solid).
Hint : Determine a formula for the area of the ring.

Step 3
We now need to find a formula for the area of the ring. Because we are using rings that are centered on
a vertical axis (i.e. parallel to the y-axis) we know that the area formula will need to be in terms of y.
Therefore, the equations of the curves will need to be in terms of y and so we’ll need to rewrite the
equation of the line to be in terms of y.

Here is another sketch of a representative ring with all of the various quantities we need put into it.

From the sketch we can see the ring is centered on the line x = −4 and placed at some y.

The inner radius of the ring is the distance from the axis of rotation to the y-axis (a distance of 4)
followed by the distance from the y-axis to the curve defining the inner edge of the solid (a distance of
2 ( y − 1)
1
).

Likewise, the outer radius of the ring is the distance from the axis of rotation to the y-axis (again, a
distance of 4) followed by the distance from the y-axis to the curve defining the outer edge of the solid
(a distance of 4).
So, the inner and outer radii are,

Inner Radius = 4 + 12 ( y − 1) = 12 y + 72 Outer Radius = 4 + 4 = 8

The area of the ring is then,

A ( x ) π ( Outer Radius ) − ( Inner Radius ) 

2 2
=
 
= π ( 8 ) − ( 12 y + 72 ) = π ( 207
4 − 2 y− 4 y )
2 2 7 1 2
 

Step 4
The final step is to then set up the integral for the volume and evaluate it.

From the intersection points of the two curves we found in Step 1 we can see that the “first” ring in the
solid would occur at y = 3 and the “last” ring would occur at y = 9 . Our limits are then : 3 ≤ y ≤ 9 .

The volume is then,

∫ π( − 72 y − 14 y 2 ) =
dy π ( 207 ) 126π
9 9
7 2 3
V
= 207
4 4 y − 4 y − 12 y =
1
3 3