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Applications of Calculus
Dr. P. Ramasu
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Botswana International University of Science and Technology
ramasup@[Link]
April, 2020, Palapye
The Shell Method
The Shell Method
Let R be the region bounded by the graph of the function
y = f (x) and x-axis over the interval [a, b].See Figure 3 below.
Figure: Figure 3
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
Let S be the solid obtained by rotating about the line x = L the
region R. See Figure 4 below;
Figure: Figure 4
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
We divide the interval [a, b] into n subintervals [xi−1 , xi ] and let x i
be the midpoint of the i th subinterval. See Figure 5.
Figure: Figure 5
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
If the rectangle with base [xi−1 , xi ] and height f (x i ) is rotated
about the line x = L, the result is a cylindrical shell. See Figure
6.
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
The volume of the shell is
Vi = base area × height ∼ = π(xi − L)2 − π(xi−1 − L)2 f (x i )
= π (xi − L)2 − (xi−1 − L)2 f (xi ) =
π (xi − L) + (xi−1 − L) (xi − L) − (xi−1 − L) f (x i )
x + x
i i−1
= 2π − L (xi − xi−1 )f (x i ) = 2π(x i − L)f (x i )∆x
2
= 2π × shell radius × shell height × thickness.
Or,
Vi = V2 − V1 = π(xi − L)2 h − π(xi−1 − L)2 h
= 2π × shell radius × shell height × thickness.
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
The volume of the shell is
Vi = base area × height ∼ = π(xi − L)2 − π(xi−1 − L)2 f (x i )
= π (xi − L)2 − (xi−1 − L)2 f (xi ) =
π (xi − L) + (xi−1 − L) (xi − L) − (xi−1 − L) f (x i )
x + x
i i−1
= 2π − L (xi − xi−1 )f (x i ) = 2π(x i − L)f (x i )∆x
2
= 2π × shell radius × shell height × thickness.
Or,
Vi = V2 − V1 = π(xi − L)2 h − π(xi−1 − L)2 h
= 2π × shell radius × shell height × thickness.
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
Therefore an approximation to the volume V of S is given by
n n
V ∼
X X
= Vi = 2π(ci − L)f (ci )∆x, where ci = x i .
i=1 i=1
This approximation appears to become better as n → ∞. So,
n
! Z
X b
V = lim 2π(ci − L)f (ci )∆x = 2π(x − L)f (x) dx.
n→∞ a
i=1
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
Therefore an approximation to the volume V of S is given by
n n
V ∼
X X
= Vi = 2π(ci − L)f (ci )∆x, where ci = x i .
i=1 i=1
This approximation appears to become better as n → ∞. So,
n
! Z
X b
V = lim 2π(ci − L)f (ci )∆x = 2π(x − L)f (x) dx.
n→∞ a
i=1
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Shell Method
Definition
Shell Formula for Revolution About a Vertical Line x = L
The volume of the solid generated by revolving the region between
the x-axis and the graph of a function y = f (x), L ≤ a ≤ x ≤ b, about
a vertical line x = L is
Z b
V = 2π(shell radius)(shell height) dx
a
Z b
= 2π(x − L)f (x) dx.
a
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Examples
(i) Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating about the
y -axis the region between y = x and y = x 2 .
Class Exercise
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus
Examples
(ii) Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region
bounded by y = x − x 2 and y = 0 about the line x = 2.
Ramasu / IMECE2013 Integral Calculus