Joel Nothman www.jnothman.cjb.net iamhere@jnothman.cjb.

net

A solid shape has a triangular base with sides 13cm, 13cm

and 10cm. Each cross section (perpendicular to the axis of
symmetry of the base) is in the shape of a parabola, with its
latus rectum lying in the base. Find the volume of the solid.
7 Marks

y x
x

a y2 = a - 4az
z
13 13

2a z
-5 5

As can be seen from the right - hand diagram, z = 2a

There is a linear relationship between a and x.
∴ a = mx + b
At x = 0, a = 5 ∴ b = 5 \cr
The height of the triangle is 132 − 52 = 144
At x = 12, a = 0 ∴ 0 = 12m + 5
5
∴m = −
12

Now, area under parabola as required is:

a
A= ( 0 + 2a + 0 ) (Simpson's rule with 3 values)
3
2a 2
=
3
2
2 5 
δV =  − x + 5 δ x
3  12 
2
2 12  5 
V= ∫  − x + 5  dx
3  12
0

69
2  12  1  5  
3

=  −   − x + 5  
3  5  3  12   0

200 3
= u
3