2.

7
SURFACE AREA AND VOLUME BY USING DOUBLE
INTEGRALS
COMPUTING THE AREA OF A SURFACE
Let it be required to compute the area of a surface bounded
by a curve Γ (given in the figure below); the surface is
defined by the equation 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) , where the function
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is continuous and has continuous partial
derivatives. Denote the projection of Γ on the 𝑋𝑌 − plane by
𝐿. Denote by 𝐷 the domain on the 𝑋𝑌 − plane bounded by
the curve 𝐿.

𝑍 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)

𝑀𝑖

𝑂
𝑌

𝑃𝑖
𝐷
Δ𝑠𝑖
𝐿

𝑋
 𝑍
𝛾𝑖

𝑀𝑖
∆𝜍𝑖

𝑂
𝑌

𝛾𝑖 𝑃𝑖
Δ𝑠𝑖

In arbitrary fashion, divide 𝐷 into 𝑛 elementary

subdomains ∆𝑠1 , ∆𝑠2 , . . . . ∆𝑠𝑛 . In each subdomain ∆𝑠𝑖
take a point 𝑃𝑖 (𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 ). To the point 𝑃𝑖 there will correspond,
on the surface, a point

𝑀𝑖 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 , 𝑓(𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 )

Through 𝑀𝑖 draw a tangent plane to the surface. Its

equation is of the form

𝑧 − 𝑧𝑖 = 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 𝑥 − 𝜉𝑖 + 𝑓 ′ 𝑦 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 𝑦 − 𝜂𝑖 (1)
In this plane, pick out a subdomain ∆𝜍𝑖 which is projected
onto the 𝑋𝑌 − plane in the form of a subdomain ∆𝑠𝑖 .
Consider the sum of the sub domains ∆𝜍𝑖 :
𝑛

∆𝜍𝑖
𝑖=1

We shall call the limit 𝜍 of this sum, when the greatest of

the diameters of the subdomains ∆𝜍𝑖 approaches zero, the
area of the surface; that is, by definition we set
lim 𝑛
𝜍= 𝑖=1 ∆𝜍𝑖 (2)
𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚 ∆𝜍𝑖 → 0

Now let us calculate the area of the surface. Denote by 𝛾𝑖

the angle between the tangent plane and the 𝑋𝑌 − plane .
Using a familiar formula of analytic geometry we can write
∆𝑠𝑖 = ∆𝜍𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾𝑖

or
∆𝑠𝑖
∆𝜍𝑖 = (3)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛾 𝑖

The angle 𝛾𝑖 is at the same time the angle between the

𝑍 − axis and the perpendicular to the plane (1). Therefore,
by equation (1) and the formula of analytic geometry we
have

1
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾𝑖 =
1 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑥 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑦 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖
Hence,

∆𝜍𝑖 = 1 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑥 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑦 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 ∆𝑠𝑖

Putting this expression into formula (2), we get

𝑛

𝜍= lim 1 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑥 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 + 𝑓 ′2 𝑦 𝜉𝑖 , 𝜂𝑖 ∆𝑠𝑖
𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚 ∆𝑠𝑖 →0
𝑖=1

Since the limit of the integral sum on the right side of the
last equation is, by definition, the double integral


2
 z   z 
2

1       dxdy we finally get

 x   y 
D


2
 z   z 
2

 1       dxdy (4)
 x   y 
D

This is the formula use to compute the area of the surface

𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦).
If the equation of the surface is given in the form

𝑥 = 𝜇 𝑦, 𝑧 or in the form 𝑦 = 𝜒(𝑥, 𝑧)

then the corresponding formulas for calculating the surface
area are of the form
 
2
 x   x 
2

 1       dydz (4′)
 y   z 
D'


 y   y 
2 2

 1       dxdz (4′′)
 x   z 
D ''

where 𝐷′ and 𝐷′′ are the domains in the 𝑌𝑍-plane and the
𝑋𝑍-plane in which the given surface is projected.

Example: Compute the surface area 𝜍 of the sphere

x2  y 2  z 2  R2

Solution: Compute the surface are of the upper half of the

sphere z  R 2  x 2  y 2

𝑍
𝑧 = 𝑅2 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2

𝑜
𝑌
𝜃 𝜌

In this case
 z x

x R2  x2  y 2

z y

y R2  x2  y 2

Hence,
2
 z   z 
2
R2 R
1       
 x   y  R x y
2 2 2
R2  x2  y 2

The domain of integration is defined by the condition

Thus, by formula (4) we will have

 R2  x2
R 

 
1  R 
  dy  dx
2  R2  x2  y 2 
 R   R2  x2 
To compute the double integral obtain let us make the
transformation to polar coordinates. In polar coordinates
the boundary of the domain of integration is determined by
the equation 𝜌 = 𝑅. Hence,
2 2
 R


 
R
R
 2   
 d  d  2 R  R  
2 2
d
 R 
2 2    0
0  0  0

2


 2 R Rd  4 R 2 .
0
Computing the Volume of a Solid

Recall that

1. If 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 1, then  dxdy gives the area 𝐴 of the region 𝑅.

R

2. If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a surface, then

 zdxdy or  f ( x, y)dxdy
R R

gives the volume of the region beneath the surface

𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and above the 𝑋𝑌- plane.
Example: Evaluate the volume of the sphere

𝑥2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧2 = 𝑎2 .

Solution: The given sphere is 𝑧 = 𝑎2 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦 2

The volume of the upper half of the sphere is

2

2 2
𝑎 2 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
x  y a

By changing to polar coordinates.

i.e substitute 𝑥 = 𝑟 cos 𝜃 , 𝑦 = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 , 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃

2

2 2
𝑎 2 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 0
2𝜋 𝑎
0
𝑎 2 − 𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃
x  y a
2𝜋 1 𝑎 2
= 0
− 0
𝑎 2 − 𝑟 2 . 𝑑 −𝑟 𝑑𝜃
2
2𝜋 1 3 2
= 0 3
𝑎 𝑑𝜃 = 𝜋𝑎 3 .
3

2 4
Therefore the volume of the sphere is 2 𝜋𝑎 3 = 𝜋𝑎 3 .
3 3
Problem 1: Compute the area of that part of the surface of
the cone x 2  y 2  z 2 which is cut out by the cylinder
x 2  y 2  2ax .

Solution: The equation of the surface of the upper half of

the cone is z  x 2  y 2

z x z y
  ,  
x x2  y 2 y x2  y 2

∴ The domain of integration is defined by

x 2  y 2  2ax  ( x  a)2  y 2  a 2
∴ Surface area of upper half cone


2
 z   z 
2

 1       dydx
 x   y 
D

2a a 2 ( x  a ) 2

 
x2 y2
Total surface area  2 1 2  dydx
x  y 2 x2  y 2
0  a 2 ( x  a ) 2

2a a 2 ( x  a ) 2

 
2( x 2  y 2 )
2 dydx
x2  y 2
0  a 2 ( x  a ) 2

2 a a ( x  a )
2 2

4
 
0 0
2dydx
 2a

 y
a 2 ( x  a ) 2
4 2 0
dx
0
2a

4 2

0
a 2  ( x  a) 2 dx

2a
xa 2 a2  x  a 
4 2 a  ( x  a)  sin 1 
2

 2 2  a 0

 a 2 1 a 2 1 
 4 2  sin 1  sin (1) 
2 2 
a2   
4 2   
2 2 2
 2 2 a 2 .
Problem 2: Find the surface area of 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 1 in the
region [0,1] × [0,1].
Solution: 𝑍

The equation of the surface has the form

𝑧 = 1 + 2𝑥 + 3𝑦
z z
  2,  3
x y
The region 𝐷 = [0,1] × [0,1]


2
 z   z 
2

∴ Surface area  1       dydx

 x   y 
D
1 1



0 0
1  4  9dydx

1 1


 14dydx
0 0

 14 .
Problem 3: Find the surface area of the portion of the unit
4
sphere above z 
5
Solution:
𝑍

Unit sphere is 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 1
⇒𝑧= 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦 2

𝜕𝑧 𝑥 𝜕𝑧 𝑦
=− , =−
𝜕𝑥 1−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2 𝜕𝑦 1−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
4 16 9
= 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦 2 ⇒ = 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦 2 ⇒ 𝑥2 + 𝑦 2 =
5 25 25
3
Circle of radius is
5
We have to find surface area of 𝑧 = 1 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 over
9
𝑥2 + 𝑦 2 =
25
3
Domain of the radius is
5


2
 z   z 
2

∴ Surface area  1       dydx

 x   y 
D
 1
= 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥
𝐷 1 − 𝑥2 − 𝑦 2
Transformation to polar co coordinates. In polar
coordinates the boundary of the domain of integration
is determined by the equation
3
𝑟=
5
Let 𝑥 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
3
2𝜋 5 1
∴ Surface area = 0 0 1−𝑟 2
𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
3
2𝜋
= 0
− 1− 𝑟 2 50 𝑑𝜃
2𝜋 9
= 0
− 1− + 1 𝑑𝜃
25
2𝜋 4
= 0
− + 1 𝑑𝜃
5
2𝜋 1
= 0 5
𝑑𝜃
1 2𝜋
= 𝜃 0
5
2𝜋
= .
5
Problem 4: Find the volume of the tetrahedron bounded by
the coordinate surfaces 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑧 = 0 and the plane
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
+ + =1
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

Solution:

The volume of the tetrahedron (V ) 


R
zdxdy

bx
b
a a


 y x
V c 1    dydx 𝑦
 b a
0 0 (0, 𝑏)

a bx
b


 y xy  2 a
 c y    dx 𝑅

 2b a  0
0 (𝑎, 0) 𝑥
0


 bx 2 bx b 
 c  2    dx
 2a a 2 𝑧
0

a
 bx3 bx 2 b  abc
 c 2   x  .
 6 a 2 a 2 0 6
Problem 5: A circular hole of a radius 𝑏 is made centrally
through a sphere of radius 𝑎. Find the volume of the
remaining of the sphere.
Solution:

Let the centre of the sphere be at the origin and let the axis
of the hole be along the z-axis. The volume 𝑉 of the sphere
4
is 𝜋𝑎 3 and that of the circular hole is obtained as follows.
3

Volume of the upper-half of the hole 


R
f ( x, y )dxdy



R
zdxdy

where 𝑧 is obtained from the equation x 2  y 2  z 2  a 2 and 𝑅

is the circle in the 𝑋𝑌 − plane.

i.e x 2  y 2  b2
∴The volume 𝑉1 of the circular hole is

V1  2

R
a 2  x 2  y 2 dxdy

where 𝑅 is x 2  y 2  b2 changing into polar coordinates

b
2 b 2  3 

 
 (a  r ) 
2 2 2
V1  2 a 2  r 2 rdrd    d
3
 
0 0 0
 2 0
 2


2  2 3
3
   d
2 2
 ( a b ) a
3  
0
2


2  3 2 2
3
  a  (a  b ) d
2

3  
0

2 3 2 2
3
  a  (a  b )   0
2 2

3 
4  3 2 2
3
  a  (a  b ) 
2

3  

Volume of the remaining portion = 𝑉 − 𝑉1

4 4  3 2 2
3
  a3   a  (a  b ) 
2

3 3  
4 2 3
 (a  b ) .
2 2

3
Problem 6: Find the volume bounded by the cylinder
x 2  y 2  4 , 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4 and 𝑧 = 0.

Solution:
𝑍

𝑦 +𝑧 = 4

0
𝑌
𝑅

𝑥 2 + 𝑦2 = 4

The volume 𝑉 of the plane 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4 and 𝑧 = 0 is

V
 R
zdxdy


 R
(4  y )dxdy

where R is bounded by the x 2  y 2  4

2 4 y 2

∴V

2  4 y 2
(4  y )dxdy

 (4  y) x
4 y 2
  4 y 2
dy
2
 2



2
(4  y ).2 4  y 2 dy

2 2

 
 2 4 4  y 2 dy  2 y 4  y 2 dy
2 2
2

 16

0
4  y 2 dy  0 (∵ y 4  y 2 is odd

function)
2
y y
 16  4  y 2  2sin 1 
2 2 0

 16  2sin 1 1  32   16 .
2
Exercise
1. Compute the area of that part of the plane 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 =
2𝑎. Which lies in the first octant and is bounded by the
cylinder x 2  y 2  a 2 .
2. Compute the area of that part of the square of the cone
x 2  y 2  z 2 which is cut by the cylinder x 2  y 2  2ax.
3. Find the surface area of a solid that is the common
part of two cylinders 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎 2 , 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑎 2 .
4. Compute the volumes of solids bounded by the
coordinate planes, the plane 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 12 = 0 and the
1
cylinder 𝑧 = 𝑦 2 .
2
5. Compute the volumes of solids bounded by the
following surfaces:
a) 𝑧 = 0, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 3.
b) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑎𝑥 = 0, 𝑧 = 0, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑧 2 .
6. The base of a solid is the region in 𝑋𝑌 − plane. That is
bounded by the circle x 2  y 2  a 2 . While the top of the
solid is bounded by the paraboloid az  x 2  y 2 . Find the
volume.
7. Find the volume common to the cylinders x 2  y 2  a 2
and x 2  z 2  a 2 .

Answers
3 2
1. a
4
2. 2 2 a 2
3. 8𝑎2
4. 16
5.
a) 3𝜋
32
b) 𝑎3
9
1
6.  a 3
2
16a 3
7.
3