Disc Method Around the y-Axis (College Board AP® Calculus AB)

Study Guide

Roger B

Written by: Roger B

Reviewed by: Dan Finlay

Volume with disc method revolving around the y-axis

What is a volume of revolution around the y-axis?

  • This is very similar to a volume of revolution around the x-axis

  • A solid of revolution is formed when an area bounded by a function y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis
    (and other boundary equations) is rotated 2 pi radians left parenthesis 360 degree right parenthesis around the y-axis

  • The volume of revolution is the volume of this solid

Example of a solid of revolution that is formed by rotating the area bounded by the function y=f(x), the lines y=a and y=b, and the y-axis about the y-axis

How can I use the disc method to calculate a volume of revolution around the y-axis?

  • For a continuous function f, if the region bounded by

    • the curve y equals f open parentheses x close parentheses and the y-axis

    • between y equals a and y equals b

  • is rotated 2 pi radians left parenthesis 360 degree right parenthesis around the y-axis, then the volume of revolution is

    •  V equals integral subscript a superscript b pi x squared space italic d y equals pi integral subscript a superscript b x squared space italic d y

      • Note that x here is a function of y

        • This will mean rewriting y equals f open parentheses x close parentheses in the form x equals g open parentheses y close parentheses

      • Also note that the integration is done with respect to y

  • If y equals a and y equals b are not stated in a question, these boundaries could involve

    • the x-axis (y equals 0)

    • and/or a y-intercept of y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis

Examiner Tips and Tricks

If the given function involves a square root, the problem may seem daunting

  • But the square root will be 'squared away' when using the Volume of Revolution formula

If a diagram is not provided, sketching the curve, limits, etc. can really help

  • A graphing calculator can help with this

Worked Example

Let R be the region enclosed by the graph of f open parentheses x close parentheses equals arcsin open parentheses 2 x plus 1 close parentheses, the negative x-axis, and the positive y-axis, as shown in the figure below.

Graph showing the function y = arcsin(2x+1), shading the area (R) enclosed by the curve, the negative x-axis, and the positive y-axis

Find the volume of the solid generated when R is rotated about the y-axis.  Give your answer correct to 3 decimal places.

Answer:

Use V equals pi integral subscript a superscript b x squared space italic d y

First rewrite the function as a function of y

table row y equals cell arcsin open parentheses 2 x plus 1 close parentheses end cell row cell sin y end cell equals cell 2 x plus 1 end cell row x equals cell fraction numerator sin y minus 1 over denominator 2 end fraction end cell end table

Now that can be put into the integral

Note that the integration will be along the y-axis, from y equals 0 to y equals pi over 2

The integral can be evaluated using your calculator

table row V equals cell pi integral subscript 0 superscript pi over 2 end superscript open parentheses fraction numerator sin y minus 1 over denominator 2 end fraction close parentheses squared space italic d y end cell row blank equals cell 0.279754... end cell end table

The question doesn't specify units, so the units of volume will be units cubed

0.280 units3 (to 3 decimal places)

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Roger B

Author: Roger B

Expertise: Maths

Roger's teaching experience stretches all the way back to 1992, and in that time he has taught students at all levels between Year 7 and university undergraduate. Having conducted and published postgraduate research into the mathematical theory behind quantum computing, he is more than confident in dealing with mathematics at any level the exam boards might throw at you.

Dan Finlay

Author: Dan Finlay

Expertise: Maths Lead

Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.