The shell method, also known as the method of cylindrical shells, is a powe
rful technique for finding the volume of a solid of revolution. Unlike the disk or w
asher methods—which involve summing up the volumes of circular slices perp
endicular to the axis of rotation—the shell method involves summing up th
e volumes of hollow cylindrical shells formed by revolving vertical or horizont
al slices parallel to the axis of rotation. This approach is especially useful when
the solid is generated by revolving a region around an axis where using disks or w
ashers would be cumbersome or require multiple integrals.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
This method calculates the volume of a solid of revolution when integrating alo
ng an axis parallel to the axis of revolution. It is less intuitive than disk integrat
ion, but it usually produces simpler integrals. It uses the so-called "represent
ative cylinder" when the part of the graph of a function is rotated around an axi
s, and is modeled by an infinite number of hollow pipes, all infinitely thin. The
idea is that a "representative rectangle” can be rotated about the axis of revol
ution, thus generating a hollow cylinder – a shell. Volume of the solid is then
calculated by integrating the lateral surface areas of the “family” of shells
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Consider a region, R, bounded by the If we revolve this region around the y-axis, the solid o
graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and f revolution formed is:
the coordinate axes from 𝑥 = 𝑎 to
𝑥=𝑏
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
a. Construct a rectangle over the b. Revolve the rectangle c. Put the shells together, we
interval 𝑎, 𝑏 around the y-axis, the get an approximation of
result is cylindrical shell. the original solid.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Recall Let Thus;
𝑥𝑖 = inner radius
V = volume of cylinder 𝑑𝑉 = 𝜋 𝑥𝑜 2 − 𝑥𝑖 2 𝑦
𝑥𝑜 = outer radius
V= 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
𝑑𝑉 = 𝜋 𝑥𝑜 + 𝑥𝑖 𝑥𝑜 − 𝑥𝑖 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥𝑜 - 𝑥𝑖 (thickness)
𝑥𝑜 +𝑥𝑖
𝑑𝑉 = 2𝜋 2
𝑥𝑜 − 𝑥𝑖 𝑦
but
𝑥𝑜 + 𝑥𝑖
=x
2
= (midpoint of the
interval 𝑥𝑖 , 𝑥𝑜
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
𝑑𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑥 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
Integrate both side of the equation
𝑎 𝑏
න 𝑑𝑉 = න 2𝜋𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑏 𝑎
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Let 𝑓 𝑥 be continuous and nonnegative. Defined by 𝑅 as the
region bounded by the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and the coordinate axes, on
the interval 𝑎, 𝑏 . Then the volume of the solid of revolution formed
by revolving 𝑅 around the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 is given by
𝑏 𝑏
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑎
Where:
𝑥 = radius of the cylinder
𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , height of the cylinder
𝑑𝑥 = (thickness)
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Let 𝑔 𝑦 be continuous and nonnegative. Defined by 𝑅 as the
region bounded by the graph 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑦) and the coordinate axes, on
the interval 𝑎, 𝑏 . Then the volume of the solid of revolution formed
by revolving 𝑅 around the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 is given by
𝑏 𝑏
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 2𝜋 න 𝑦 𝑔(𝑦)𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑦𝑥𝑑𝑦
𝑎 𝑎
Where:
𝑥 = radius of the cylinder
𝑥 = 𝑔 𝑦 , height of the cylinder
𝑑𝑦 = (thickness)
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region enclosed by the curv
es 𝑦 = sin(𝑥) and 𝑦 = 0 about the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 . Find the volume of the resulting
solid
Solution:
Disk Method Shell Method
Sketch the graph
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
𝜋 𝜋
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 (sin 𝑥)𝑑𝑥
0 0
Let 𝑢 = 𝑥 𝑑𝑣 = sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑥
𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥 𝑣 = − cos 𝑥
𝜋
= 2𝜋 −𝑥 cos 𝑥 + න cos 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
𝜋
= 2𝜋 −𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥 0
−1 0
= 2𝜋 −𝜋 cos 𝜋 + sin 𝜋
= 2𝜋 𝜋
𝝅𝟐
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the method of cylindrical shells to find the volume generated by rotating the re
gion bounded by the given curves about the y-axis. Sketch the region and a typical
1
shell. 𝑦 = , 𝑦 = 0 , 𝑥 = 1 , 𝑥 = 2
𝑥
Solution: step1 Graph and Identify the region
step2 Draw a line parallel to the rotating line
at the point x
y= 1
x
step3 Rotate this line about the rotating line
step4 Find: r=x ,h = 1
x
in terms of x
step5 Find: a =1 ,b = 2
step6
The volume is given by
x
b
V = 2 r h dx
V = 2 x 1x dx = 2𝜋 cubic units
2
a Note: rotating line is y-axis → dx and
1 we draw a parallel line to y-axis
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Find the volume of the solid generated by rotating the region enclosed by the cur
ve 𝑦 = 2 𝑥, and the lines 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑥 = 0 about the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
Solution: 𝜋 2
𝑦2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑦𝑥𝑑𝑦 = 2𝜋 න 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
0 0 4
2
𝑦3
= 2𝜋 න 𝑑𝑦
0 4
4 2
𝑦
= 2𝜋
16 0
4 2
2
=𝜋
8 0
= 𝟐𝝅
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the shell method to find the volumes of the solids generated by revolving the sh
aded region about the indicated axis.
𝑥2
𝑦 =1+ ,𝑦 = 0, from 𝑥 = 0 𝑡𝑜 𝑥 = 2 about the y-axis
4
Solution:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
𝑏
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎
2
𝑥2
= 2𝜋 න 𝑥 1 + 𝑑𝑥
0 4
2
𝑥3
= 2𝜋 න 𝑥+ 𝑑𝑥
0 4
𝑦 2
𝑥 𝑥2 𝑥 4
= 2𝜋 +
2 16 0
𝑑𝑥 2
22 24
= 2𝜋 +
2 16 0
𝝅
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the shells to find the volumes of the given solids. Note that the rotated region li
e between the curve and the x-axis and are rotated around the y-axis
𝑦= 1 − 𝑥2, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1
1 1
Solution: POI: 𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 1 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
0 0
If 𝑥 = 0
𝑢 = 1 − 𝑥2
𝑦= 1 − 02
𝑑𝑢 = −2𝑥𝑑𝑥
𝑦=1 2𝜋 1
= න 𝑢𝑑𝑢
If 𝑥 = 1 −2 0
1
𝑦= 1 − 12 2 3
= −𝜋 − 1 − 𝑥 2 2
3 0
𝑦=0
Thus, the limits are: 𝟐𝝅
𝑎 = 0; 𝑏 = 1 =
𝟑
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the shells to find the volumes of the given solids. Note that the rotated region li
e between the curve and the x-axis and are rotated around the y-axis
1
𝑦= 2
, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 3
1+𝑥
Solution:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
3 3
1
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
0 0 1+𝑥
𝑢 = 1 + 𝑥2
𝑑𝑢 = 2𝑥𝑑𝑥
2𝜋 3 𝑑𝑢
= න
2 0 𝑢
3
= 𝜋 ln 1 + 𝑥 2 0
0
= 𝜋 ln 10 − 𝜋 ln 1
=𝝅
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the shells to find the volumes of the given solids. Note that the rotated region li
e between the curve and the x-axis and are rotated around the y-axis
𝑦 = sin 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 𝜋
Solution:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
𝜋 𝜋
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 sin 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
0 0
𝑢 = 𝑥2
𝑑𝑢 = 2𝑥𝑑𝑥
𝜋
= 𝜋 න sin 𝑢 𝑑𝑢
0
𝜋
= 𝜋 −cos 𝑥 2 0
−1 1
= 𝜋 − cos 𝜋 + cos 0
=𝜋 1+1
= 𝟐𝝅
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Use the shells to find the volume generated by rotating the regions between the give
n curve and 𝑦 = 0 around the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
𝑥 = 4 − 𝑦2, 𝑥 =0; 𝑦 =0
Solution:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
2 2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑦𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
0 0
𝑢 = 4 − 𝑥2
𝑑𝑢 = −2𝑥𝑑𝑥
2
= −𝜋 න 𝑢1/2 𝑑𝑢
0
2 3/2 2
= − 𝜋 4 − 𝑥2
3 0
2 8
=− 𝜋 0−2
3 3
𝟏𝟔𝝅
=
𝟑
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Find the volume of the solid of revolution formed by rotating the region bounded by t
he graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1, and 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1 2 about the y − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
Solution:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
𝑏 2
= 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥−1− 𝑥−1 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥𝑦𝑑𝑥
𝑎 1
2 2
= 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1𝑑𝑥 − 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1 2 𝑑𝑥
1 1
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
2 2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1𝑑𝑥 − 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1 2 𝑑𝑥
1 1
2 2
For: 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑢 + 1 𝑢1/2 𝑑𝑢
1 1
𝑢 =𝑥−1 2
𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝜋 න 𝑢3/2 + 𝑢1/2 𝑑𝑢
1
2
2 5/2
2 3/2
= 2𝜋 𝑥−1 + 𝑥−1
5 3 1
2 2
= 2𝜋 +
5 3
2 𝟑𝟐𝝅
2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1𝑑𝑥 =
1 𝟏𝟓
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
2 2
2 𝑑𝑥
For: 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 𝑑𝑥
1 1
2
= 2𝜋 න 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1
2
𝑥4 𝑥3 𝑥 2
= 2𝜋 − +
4 3 2 1
24 23 22 14 13 12
= 2𝜋 − + − − +
4 3 2 4 3 2
𝟐
𝟐 𝒅𝒙 𝟏𝟑𝝅
𝟐𝝅 න 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟏 =
𝟏 𝟔
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
Combining:
2 2
𝑉 = 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1𝑑𝑥 − 2𝜋 න 𝑥 𝑥 − 1 2 𝑑𝑥
1 1
32𝜋 13
𝑉= − 𝜋
15 6
𝟐𝟗𝝅
𝟑𝟎
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Mechanical Engineering
