Steply

Volume between y = √x and y = x turned around the x-axis from x = 0…

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Volumes by disks and washers · Calculus 2

Step by step

The question

Question: find the volume when the region between y = √x and y = x from x = 0 to x = 1 turns around the x-axis.

y = √x
y = x

1 Draw and turn it

Draw the curves first.

The region between them, from x = 0 to x = 1, is shaded.

2 One slice

Cut the solid into thin slices.

Each slice is a washer: a flat disk with a hole.

The outside radius is the curve further from the axis: R = √x.

R = √x

The inside radius, the hole, is the other one: r = x.

r = x

A washer is the big circle minus the hole: π R² minus π r², times its thickness dx.

slice = π(R2 − r2) dx

Which curve is outside?

Test a number between: √x is bigger there.

test x = 0.5: 0.707 > 0.5

3 Write the integral

Add up all the slices from 0 to 1: that is an integral.

π is just a number, so it waits in front.

V = π∫ from 0 to 1 of ((√x)2 − x2) dx

Careful!

Not R minus r, squared!

The hole is a whole circle: take away π r squared.

Careful: not π(R − r)2 ✗

4 Square it

Square both radii, then take away.

V = π∫ from 0 to 1 of (x − x2) dx

A square root squared gives back what is inside: (√x)² = x.

(√x)2 = x

And the hole: x².

x2 = x2

5 The antiderivative

The antiderivative: add 1 to each power, divide by the new power.

V = π[ x22 − x33 ] from 0 to 1

6 Top minus bottom

Put in 1, then take away the same with 0.

= π[(122 − 133) − (022 − 033)]
= π[16 − 0]

So the volume is π over 6 cubic units.

That is about 0.52.

V = π6 ≈ 0.52

7 Check

Let's check with a calculator: it adds up 1000 thin washers.

That gives about 0.52, the same as our answer.

Right!

1000 thin washers: ≈ 0.52

Let's look back.

First: draw and turn it.

Then: one slice.

Then: write the integral.

Then: square it.

Then: the antiderivative.

Then: top minus bottom.

Last: check.

Answer
V = π6 ≈ 0.52

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the volume when the region between y = 2√x
Show the answer
V = 5π3 ≈ 5.24

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