UNIT 3.

APPLICATIONS OF THE DEFINITE INTEGRAL MATH 37 LECTURE GUIDE

Objectives: By the end of the unit, a student must correctly and confidently be able to apply methods
of integration in finding:
volume of solids of revolution using disks and washers,
volume of solids of revolution using cylindrical shells,
centroids of plane region and solids of revolution,
length of arc of a curve, and
area of surfaces of revolution.

MUST !!! It is expected that you already know how to evaluate definite integrals. Most examples will
only require setting up the definite integral that will solve for the measure of the object required. In
case you forgot, this is how definite integrals are evaluated:

b
If f is continuous on a , b and
f x dx F x C , then
a
f x dx F b F a .

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RECIT REVIEW: Area of Plane Regions.

Using vertical strips, Using horizontal strips,

y f x d
x f y
y f x y f x
x g y
y f x
y g x
c
y f x

a b

Area: Area:

TO DO!!! Determine the area of the region bounded

2 4
by the curves y and y , 0 x 1 .
1 x 2 x 2
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

What if x 0 , ? Will the improper integral be convergent?

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 REMEMBER!!! To get area of a plane region, integrate area of a strip. Use the length of a strip
for the length and dx or dy for the width.
Length Width
Vertical strip: f x g x ( above below ) dx
Horizontal strip: f y g y ( right left ) dy

TO DO!!! Determine the area of the region

bounded by y 2 x and y 3 x , 1 y 8 .

Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

Determine the area of the following region. Try using both vertical and horizontal strips, if possible.

1. the region bounded by y sin x and y cos x , x .
2 2
(Be careful of the positions of the graphs.)

2. the region bounded by y x and y x 3

1
3. the region bounded by y e x , y 2 x , y4
4

4. the region bounded by y e x , y ln x , 1 x e

5. the region enclosed by the circle x 2 y 2 a 2 , a 0 Figure A.

(Use trigo sub for the integral.)

6. the region bounded by y sinh x , y cosh x , 1 x 1

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7. the region bounded by y x 6 , y x 3 0 , 2y x 0

(Refer to Figure A.)

8. Refer to Figure B. Calculate areas A , B , C and D .

Also, calculate for A B C D in one integration.

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 Figure B.

3.1 Volume of a Solid of Revolution (Using Disks or Washers)

(TC7 pp. 398-414 / TCWAG pp. 374-387)

Volume of a cylinder = (area of a cross section) x (height)

Consider the solid S on the right.

Let x i a , b and Ax i be the area of cross-

section of the object at x i .

Let i x be a certain thickness (preferably super

thin) of the cross-section at x i . (This cross-
section is perpendicular to the x axis.)

Volume of a slice =

Appoximate volume of the solid S =

(using several slices)

Volume of solid S = Volume of solid S =

(as a Riemann sum) (as a definite integral)

where Ax is an area of a cross-section.

If the cross-sections that will be used are perpendicular to the y axis, the volume of a solid will be
d
given by V
Ay dy , where Ay is an area of a cross-section and dy is the thickness of a slice.
c

TO DO!!! Consider the solid with lateral section

given by the region bounded by y 1 x 2 over
the first quadrant. Suppose the cross-sections
perpendicular to the x axis are squares.
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

A solid of revolution is generated by revolving a plane region about an axis of revolution that is
either tangent to the region or does not pass through the region. The resulting solid has a circular
cross-section: an area of r 2 with the center on the axis of revolution.

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 TO DO!!! Consider the solid formed by revolving
the region bounded by y x , the x axis and the
line x 4 about the x axis .

To get the volume of a solid of revolution using DISKS,

consider a strip of the region that is perpendicular with

the axis of revolution. (Revolving this strip generates a y f x
disk.)
y f x
If the strips are vertical,
b
V
Ax dx where Ax is an area of a cross-section
a

b
Hence, V r x 2 dx
a
where r x is the radius of a cross-section.

ry dy where ry is the radius of a cross-section.

d
If the strips are horizontal, V 2
c

TO DO!!! Let R be the region bounded by

y cos x , the x axis and the y axis.
Using disks, set-up the definite integral that will
solve for the volume of the solid generated by
revolving R about

a. the x axis
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b. the y axis

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 TO DO!!! Let R be the region bounded by y x 3 ,
and the lines x 1 and y 1 .

Using disks, set-up the definite integral that will

solve for the volume of the solid generated by
revolving R about

a. y 1

b. x 1

To get the volume of a solid of revolution (with a cavity) using WASHERS,consider a strip of the
region that is perpendicular with the axis of revolution. (Revolving this strip generates a disk.)

If the strips are vertical, If the strips are horizontal,

a ro x2 ri x2 dx r y r y dy
b d
V V o
2
i
2
c
where ro x is the outer radius and ri x is where ro y is the outer radius and ri y is
the inner radius of a cross-section. the inner radius of a cross-section.

TO DO!!! Let R be the region bounded by

MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

y x 2 4 and y 2x 4 .

Using washers, set-up the definite integral that will

solve for the volume of the solid generated by
revolving R about

a. the y axis

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 b. the x axis V

c. the line x 3 V

d. the line y 2 V

MATH MODELS. In archaeology.

Regression techniques can give a curve to approximate the

outline traced by a broken part. The center of the pot can
provide the axis of revolution. The volume can then be
computed by revolving the curve around the axis. The
thickness of the pot can also be considered to compute for
the volume of the interior.

Given below is a polynomial which roughly approximates the

outline of the pot. However, this polynomial is still subject to
accuracy and precision. The points used for regression was
generated by simple plotting of points.

y 0.00000185899 x 8 0.00013721x 7 0.0041757x 6 0.06731x 5

0.61352x 4 3.10771x 3 7.98298x 2 8.97635x 3.17099

Revolving the region about the x axis and using disk, the volume of the pot is approximately
49088 cu. cm.

The curve was generated using CurveExpert 1.4. Mr. JF Rabajante helped in the approximations.

Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

For items 1 to 5, set-up the definite integral that will solve for the volume of the solid of revolution
generated by revolving the region with the respective axis of revolution. Use disks or washers. It will
help to draw the region and to solve for the intersections of the curves.

1. the region bounded by y e x , y ln x , 1 x e revolved about

a. the x axis b. the y axis
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2. the region bounded by y sin x and y cos x , x revolved about
4 4
a. y 1 b. y 2
3. the region bounded by y x 3 and y x 2 2 , the line x 2 revolved about
a. x 2 b. x 1 c. y 1 d. y 8

4. the region bounded by y 4 x 2 , y x 2 and the y axis revolved about

a. y 2 b. y 2 c. the y axis d. x 2

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 5. the region bounded by y x 2 2 , y 1 x 1 , 0 x 1 revolved about
2
a. the x axis b. y 3 c. the y axis (Be careful here!)
6. Derive the volume of a sphere (of radius a 0 ) by using the solid generated by revolving the
region bounded by y a 2 x 2 in the first and second quadrants about the x axis.

7. Find the volume generated by revolving about the x axis the region bounded by the upper half
x2 y2
of the ellipse 1 , a b 0 . The solid generated is called a prolate spheroid.
a2 b2

It will help to do an informal research on what things assume the shape of a prolate spheroid. Also, try
to distinguish it from an oblate spheroid.

Solids with other known cross-sections. For the following, start by

solving for the area of a cross-section .

a. Find the volume of a right pyramid that has altitude h 0

and square base of side a 0 .

b. Let the base of a solid be the region bounded by y 1 x 2

in the first quadrant. Suppose the cross-sections are
squares perpendicular to the x axis. Find the volume of
the solid.

c. Let the base of a solid be the region bounded by y sin x , 0 x , in the first quadrant.
Suppose the cross-sections are isosceles right triangles perpendicular to the x axis. Find the
volume of the solid.

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3.2 Volume of a Solid of Revolution Using Cylindrical Shells

(TC7 pp. 398-414 / TCWAG pp. 374-387)

Volume of a cylindrical shell = 2 r r h

r r
where r o i or average radius, and
2
r is the thickness of the shell

Consider a strip of the region that is parallel with the axis of revolution.
(Revolving this strip generates a shell.)
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

If the strips are vertical,

b
V 2
r x hx dx
a
where r x is the distance of a strip from the
axis of revolution, and hx is the height of a
strip.

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 If the strips are horizontal,
d
V 2
r y hy dy
c
where r y is the distance of a strip fromt the
axis of revolution, and hy is the length of a
strip.

TO DO!!! Let R be the region bounded by

y x 2 4 and y 2x 4 . Using cylindrical
shells, set-up the definite integral that will solve
for the volume of the solid generated by
revolving R about

a. the y axis

b. the x axis

c. x 2 V

d. y4 V

e. x 2 V
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Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

In the exercise items given in page 6 (for washers and disks), examine if it is more efficient to use
cylindrical shells instead of disks or washers. If so, set-up the corresponding integral that will solve for
the volume.

For the following, use cylindrical shells to setup the integral that will solve for the volume. Also, solve
for the actual volume using integrals. For b to d, verify your answer using known formulas for volume
of spheres.

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 a. The region bounded by y 2 sin x , the x axis, the y axis and x 2 is revolved about
the y axis. IBP can help solve for the integral and the actual volume.

b. Derive the volume of a hemisphere (of radius a 0 ) by using the solid generated by revolving
about the x axis the region bounded by y a 2 x 2 in the first quadrant. This time, use
cylindrical shells!

c. A round hole of radius a 0 is drilled through a solid sphere (of radius b a ) from a surface
to the (diametrically) opposite surface. Solve for the volume of the solid that remains. It will
help to position the hole along the y axis.

d. The spherical core of radius a 0 was removed from the center of a solid sphere of radius
b a . Solve for the volume of the solid that remains.
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3.3 Centroid of a Plane Region (TC7 pp. 541-556 / TCWAG pp. 394-406)

Center of mass along a line (discrete case)

Consider several weights distributed along a line.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Let m be the total mass and M be the moment of mass which is a product of a mass and its directed
distance from a point. If x is the coordinate of the center of mass along the line, then
n

M
mi x i

x i 1
m n

i 1
mi

Center of mass of a rod

In a homogeneous rod, the mass is directly proportional to the length: m k L where k is the
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

constant linear density and L is the length of the rod.

In a non-homogeneous rod, the mass is directly proportional to the length: m x L where x is

the linear density at point x on the rod.
L
If x is the linear density of a rod, then the total mass is m
x dx and
0
L
the moment of mass is M
x x dx .
0

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 TO DO!!!
The length of a rod is 9 meters and the linear density of the rod at a point x meters from one end
is 4 x 1 kg/m. Determine the center of mass of the rod.

Center of mass of a plane region

Consider a region on the xy plane.

Assumptions: the region is a lamina (the object is thin sheet) and of constant area density,

In effect, the center of mass will just be a function of the area of the region and its distances from the
x axis and the y axis. (No mass in here!) In this case, the center of mass is a centroid of the
plane region.

Consider the region bounded by y f x and y g x , a x b . Suppose the area density is .

(Simplification: constant area density)

Total mass = M A y f x
Moments of mass:
y f x
M x A dis tan ce from the x axis
M y A dis tan ce from the y axis

y g x
My Mx
Center of mass: x y
M M
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

Using vertical strips,

b b b
f x g x
M
f x g x dx
a
My
x f x g x dx
a
Mx
a

2
f x g x dx

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In general, using horizontal or vertical strip,

b
M
L thickness of a strip
a
L : length of strip thickness of a strip : dx or dy

b b
My
a
ave d y axis L thickness of strip Mx
ave d x axis L thickness of a strip
a

TO DO!!! Determine the centroid of the following regions.

1. the region enclosed by y x 2 and y x 3

5
2. the region bounded by y sin x and y cos x , x
4 4

3. the region bounded by y x 2 , y x 2 and the x axis

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 EXTRA (non-homogeneous region).
Determine the center of mass of the region enclosed by y x 2 2 and y x . Suppose that the
x
density at an point x , y in the region is given by y .
2

Compare the center of mass of the non-homogeneous region to the center of mass when the
region is a lamina.

The many centers of the Philippines.

The island of Marinduque prides itself as being the geographic

center of the Philippines. This is supported by the National
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). An
article at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
website says that Masbate "is supposed to be the geographic
center of the Philippines."

The boundaries of the Philippine archipelago are described in

Article III of the Treaty of Paris (1898), as comprising an
irregular polygon. The center of this polygon lies roughly in the
center of the Tablas Strait between the islands of Tablas and
Mindoro.

Republic Act No. 9522, "An Act to Define the Baselines of the
Territorial Sea of the Philippines", describes an irregular
polygon with its center at a point also roughly in the center of
the Tablas Strait.

The CIA Factbook locates the Philippines at 13N 12E. This point, northwest of Romblon Island,
is the approximate center of a box enclosing the land boundaries of the Philippine archipelago,
not including the Spratley Islands.

The extreme points under Philippine control as of 2010 are over Amianan Island, Batanes (to the
north); Pusan Point, Davao Oriental (to the east); Frances Reef, Tawi-Tawi (to the south); and
Thitu Island, Kalayaan, Palawan (to the west). The center of a box enclosing these points would
be located in the Mindoro Strait.

It is interesting to verify these many geographic centers using techniques from calculus. We can
also consider different density functions to solve for population center, or economic center.

The data above are still subject to verification. I simply pulled them from Wikipedia. Sir Ariel

______________________________

Curiously, where is the geographic center of the UPLB campus?

MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

Solving volumes of solids of revolution using the centroid.

PAPPUS THEOREM (c. 300 AD).

If a region R , lying in one side of a line (in the same plane), is revolved about the line, then
the volume of the resulting solid is equal to the area of R multiplied by the distance traveled
by its centroid.

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 Example.
Verify Pappus Theorem for the region under y sin x ,
0 x , when it is revolved about the x axis.

What if the axis of revolution is the y axis, or the

horizontal line y 2 , or the diagonal line x y 1 ?

Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

1. Particles of mass m1 5 , m2 7 and m3 9 are located at x 1 2 , x 2 2 and x 3 1 ,

respectively, along a line. Where is the center of mass?

2. John and Mary, weighing 75 kg and 58 kg, respectively, sit at opposite ends of a 12-foor seesaw
with the fulcrum in the middle. Where should the 65 kg Tom sit in order for the seesaw to
balance?

3. A straight wire 7 units long has density x x at a point x units from one end. Find the
center of mass. (What if x 1 x 3 ?)

Find the centroid of the following regions.

4. the region bounded by the line y 5 2x , the x axis and the y axis
5. the region bounded by y x 2 4 and the line y 2
6. the region bounded by y x 2 and the line y x 6
7. the region bounded by y 2 x and y x 2 (intersections: 1,1 and 4 ,2 )
8. the region bounded by y e x , y ln x , 1 x e

Solve for the volume of the following solids of revolution using Pappus Theorem.

9. the region bounded by y x 3 , the x axis and the line x 1 revolved about the y axis
(Also, solve for the volume using cylindrical shells.)
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

10. the region bounded by y x 2 and the line y x 6 revolved about the line x 2

11. the region inside the circle x 2 y 2 a 2 revolved about the line x 2a (DONUT!)

In physics, we have learned ways to determine the center of mass (or center of gravity) of a plane
region. Compare these methods to the techniques using integrals. It will help to verify consistency of
these methods.
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3.4 Centroid of a Solid of Revolution

Point in the three-dimensional space: y

x , y , z x : directed distance from the yz plane
y : directed distance from the xz plane
z : directed distance from the xy plane

Consider a region R on the xy plane revolved

x
about a certain axis of revolution on the xy plane.
z
Let be the (constant) density of the solid.

Centroid of the solid: x , y , z
M yz M M xy
x y xz z
M M M

M Volume

Moment of mass Volume directed dis tan ce from the proper plane

Remark: The centroid of a solid of revolution always lies on the axis of revolution.
Hence, z 0 and either of x or y is dependent on the axis of revolution.

Caution! Be careful in the choice of the strips: either horizontal or vertical.

TO DO!!! Consider the solid generated by revolving

the region R bounded by y x 2 and y x .
Determine the centroid of the solid.

1. axis of revolution: y 1 ; using vertical strips

2. axis of revolution: x 2 ; using horizontal strips

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Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

1. Determine the centroid of the solid generated by revolving about the line x 2 the same region
as in the example. Try using vertical and horizontal strips.

2. Find the centroid of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by y 2 x x 2 and the
x axis revolved about a.) the y axis; b.) the x axis.

3. Find the centroid of the solid generated by revolving the region bounded by y sin x and the
x axis, 0 x , revolved about a.) the y axis; b.) the x axis.

4. Find the centroid of a cone generated by revolving about the y axis the region inside the triangle
with vertices at the origin, a ,0 and 0 , b . Assume that a , b 0 .

5. Find the centroid of a hemisphere of radius a 0 . Consider the region bounded by y a 2 x 2

in the first quadrant revolved about the y axis.

_________________________

3.5 Length of an Arc of a Curve / Area of a Surface of Revolution

(TC7 pp. 534-540 / TCWAG pp. 388-393)

Consider a curve defined by y f x that is

continuous and differentiable (smooth) on a , b .

The length of the arc given by y f x over a , b

b
is given by L
a
1 f ' x 2 dx .

d
If an arc is defined by the curve x g y for y c , d , then the length is L
c
1 g' y 2 dy .

TO DO!!!
1. Use definite integral to show that the circumference of a
circle x 2 y 2 r 2 , where r is a positive constant, is 2r .
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15
 TO DO!!! Set-up the definite integral that will solve for the length of the arcs given by the
following. If the resulting integral is easy to evaluate, determine the length.

2. y x2 , 0 x 2

3. y cos x , 0 x

Surface area of a cylinder = 2 r l

Consider the surface generated by revolving the

arc defined by y f x , x a , b about a
horizontal axis.

Using vertical strips, the area of the resulting surface

b
is given by SA 2
a
r x 1 f ' x 2 dx , where

r x is the radius of revolution.

If a surface is generated by revolving x g y , y c , d about a vertical axis, using horizontal strips,

d
the area of the resulting surface is given by SA 2
c
r y 1 g' y 2 dy , where r y is the radius

of revolution.

TO DO!!!
1. Use definite integral to show that the surface area of a
sphere generated by revolving x 2 y 2 r 2 , where r is a
positive constant, about the x axis is 4r 2 .
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TO DO!!! Set-up the definite integral that will solve for the surface area of the surface generated
by revolving the given arc about the respective axis. If the resulting integral is easy to evaluate,
determine the length.

2. the arc: y cos x , 0 x ; the axis of revolution: y 1

3. the arc: y x 2 , 0 x 2 ; the axis of revolution: y axis

How long is the coastline of Luzon?

Computing for the length of a coastline is a complicated task. It is not as simple as coming up with
a curve that will best fit the coastline.

The coastline paradox states that a coastline does not have a well-defined length. Measurements
of the length of a coastline behave like a fractal, being different at different scale intervals. The
smaller the scale interval, the longer the coastline will be. This 'magnifying' effect is greater for
convoluted coastlines than for relatively smooth ones.
MATH 37 Lecture Guide UNIT 3 albabierra

Luzons irregular shape makes it hard to come up with an approximate length of the coastline. It is
estimated to be about 3,000 km. Luzon is the 17th largest island of the world. It will be interesting
to construct a set of piece-wise segments or curves that will give the shape of Luzon.

Estimates of the total length of the coastline range from 17,500 kilometers (official Philippine
figure) to 36,289 kilometers (U.S. figure: CIA World Factbook). The Philippines has one of the
longest coastlines in the world.

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Exercise Set. Try to solve the following.

1. Consider the arc y e x , 0 x 1. Determine the length of the arc. Also, determine the area of
the surface generated by revolving the arc about i.) the x axis, ii) the y axis..

2. Solve for the length of one cycle of y sin x , 0 x 2 . Show that this length is eight times the

length of the arc y sin x within 0 x .
4

3. Solve for the area of the surface generated by revolving one cycle of y sin x , 0 x 2 about
i.) the y axis; ii.) the line y 1 .

4. Consider the arc y x , 0 x 4 . Determine the area of the surface generated by revolving the
arc about i.) the x axis, ii) the y axis.

5. Solve for the circumference of the circle x 2 y 2 a 2 , a 0 . Consider the arc in the firs
quadrant. Also, solve for the area of the surface generated by revolving the upper-part of the
circle about the x axis.

r
6. Let r , h 0 . Consider the segment given by y x , 0 x h . Determine the area of the
h
surface generated by revolving the segment about i.) the x axis (a cone with radius r and
altitude h ), ii) the line x h (a cone with radius h and altitude r ).

_________________________

In physics: Integrals are also used in studying work done by a force and forces exerted by fluids. Work
is simply the integral of a force function evaluated over a certain length.

In statistics: Given probability density functions, expected values (or mean) can also be solved using
the concept of a centroid of a region.

END OF UNIT 3 Lecture Guide

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