Steply

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

y = 2x

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 = 2x.

Its thickness is a tiny dx.

r = 2x

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 (2x)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 2x dx ✗

4 Square it

Square the radius.

V = π∫ from 0 to 3 of 4x2 dx

Square the number and the power: 4x².

(2x)2 = 4x2

5 The antiderivative

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

V = π[ 4x33 ] from 0 to 3

6 Top minus bottom

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

= π[(4(3)33) − (4(0)33)]
= π[36 − 0]

So the volume is 36π cubic units.

That is about 113.10.

V = 36π ≈ 113.10

7 Check

Let's check: the solid is a cone, radius 6 and height 3.

A cone's volume is one third π r² h: 36π.

The same.

Right!

cone: 13 × π × 6² × 3 = 36π

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 = 36π ≈ 113.10

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

Find the volume when y = 3x
Show the answer
V = 3π ≈ 9.42

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