Steply

Volume of y = 2√x turned around the x-axis from x = 0 to x = 3

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 y = 2√x from x = 0 to x = 3 turns around the x-axis.

y = 2√x

1 Draw and turn it

Draw the curve first.

The region under the curve, from x = 0 to x = 3, is shaded.

2 One slice

Cut the solid into thin slices.

Each slice is a disk: a very flat cylinder.

Its radius is the height of the curve: r = 2√x.

Its thickness is a tiny dx.

r = 2√x

A cylinder is its circle's area times its thickness.

So one slice is π r² dx.

slice = πr2 dx

3 Write the integral

Add up all the slices from 0 to 3: that is an integral.

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

V = π∫ from 0 to 3 of (2√x)2 dx

Careful!

Square the radius!

A circle's area is π r squared, not π r.

Careful: not V = π∫ from 0 to 3 of 2√x dx ✗

4 Square it

Square the radius.

V = π∫ from 0 to 3 of 4x dx

A square root squared gives back what is inside: (2√x)² = 4x.

(2√x)2 = 4x

5 The antiderivative

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

V = π[ 2x2 ] from 0 to 3

6 Top minus bottom

Put in 3, then take away the same with 0.

= π[(2(3)2) − (2(0)2)]
= π[18 − 0]

So the volume is 18π cubic units.

That is about 56.55.

V = 18π ≈ 56.55

7 Check

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

That gives about 56.55, the same as our answer.

Right!

1000 thin disks: ≈ 56.55

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 = 18π ≈ 56.55

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the volume when y = 2√x
Show the answer
V = 8π ≈ 25.13

More from Volumes by disks and washers

The whole lesson: Volumes by disks and washers →