Volumes of Revolution

Coach Name: Sir Muhammad Abdullah Shah

Edexcel IAL October 2022 P4 (WMA14/01) Q5 Parametric Equation, Differentiation, Volume of Revolutions
In this question you must show all stages of your working. Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.
Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation

\[y = \frac{12\sqrt{x}}{(2x^2 + 3)^{1.5}}\]

The region \( R \), shown shaded in Figure 2, is bounded by the curve, the line with equation \( x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \) the x-axis and the line with equation \( x=k \).
This region is rotated through \( 360^\circ \) about the x-axis to form a solid of revolution.
Given that the volume of this solid is \( \frac{713}{648} \pi \), use algebraic integration to find the exact value of the constant \( k \).
Solution: Volume of Solid of Revolution
Key Concepts Used:
  1. Volume of Revolution: The volume \( V \) when a curve \( y = f(x) \) is rotated about the x-axis from \( x = a \) to \( x = b \) is given by
    \[V = \pi \int_{a}^{b} y^2 dx\]
  2. Substitution Method: To simplify the integral, use a substitution that matches the denominator.
  3. Algebraic Manipulation: Solve for \( k \) using the given volume.
Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Express \( y^2 \)

Given:

\[y = \frac{12\sqrt{x}}{(2x^2 + 3)^{1.5}}\]

Then:

\[y^2 = \left( \frac{12\sqrt{x}}{(2x^2 + 3)^{1.5}} \right)^2 = \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3}\]

2. Set Up the Volume Integral

The volume is:

\[V = \pi \int_{1/\sqrt{2}}^{k} y^2 dx = \pi \int_{1/\sqrt{2}}^{k} \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3} dx\]

Given that \( V = \frac{713}{648} \pi \), so:

\[\pi \int_{1/\sqrt{2}}^{k} \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3} dx = \frac{713}{648} \pi\]

Divide both sides by \( \pi \):

\[\int_{1/\sqrt{2}}^{k} \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3} dx = \frac{713}{648}\]

3. Use Substitution

Let:

\[u = 2x^2 + 3\]

(Why choose \( u = 2x^2 + 3 \)?

The denominator is \((2x^2 + 3)^3\), and its derivative is \(4x\), which cancels with the \(x\) in the numerator. This substitution simplifies the integral.)

Then:

\[\frac{du}{dx} = 4x \quad \Rightarrow \quad dx = \frac{du}{4x}\]

Change limits:

– When \( x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \):

\[u = 2\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)^2 + 3 = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{2} + 3 = 1 + 3 = 4\]

– When \( x = k \):

\[u = 2k^2 + 3\]

4. Rewrite the Integral in Terms of \(u\)

Substitute:

\[\int \frac{144x}{u^3} \cdot \frac{du}{4x} = \int \frac{144}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{u^3} du = 36 \int u^{-3} du\]

So:

\[\int_{x=1/\sqrt{2}}^{x=k} \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3} dx = 36 \int_{u=4}^{u=2k^2+3} u^{-3} du\]

5. Integrate with Respect to \(u\)

\[\int u^{-3} du = \frac{u^{-2}}{-2} = -\frac{1}{2u^2}\]

So:

\[36 \left[ -\frac{1}{2u^2} \right]_4^{2k^2+3} = -18 \left[ \frac{1}{u^2} \right]_4^{2k^2+3} = -18 \left( \frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} – \frac{1}{16} \right)\]

Thus:

\[\int_{1/\sqrt{2}}^{k} \frac{144x}{(2x^2 + 3)^3} dx = -18 \left( \frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} – \frac{1}{16} \right) = \frac{713}{648}\]

6. Solve for k

Multiply both sides by -1:

\[18 \left( \frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} – \frac{1}{16} \right) = -\frac{713}{648}\]

Divide both sides by 18:

\[\frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} – \frac{1}{16} = -\frac{713}{648 \cdot 18}\]

Calculate \[648 \cdot 18\]:

\[648 \cdot 18 = 648 \cdot (20 – 2) = 12960 – 1296 = 11664\]

So:

\[\frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} – \frac{1}{16} = -\frac{713}{11664}\]

Add \(\frac{1}{16}\) to both sides:

\[\frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} = \frac{1}{16} – \frac{713}{11664}\]

Convert \(\frac{1}{16}\) to denominator 11664:

\[\frac{1}{16} = \frac{729}{11664} \quad (\text{since } 11664 \div 16 = 729)\]

So:

\[\frac{1}{(2k^2 + 3)^2} = \frac{729 – 713}{11664} = \frac{16}{11664} = \frac{1}{729}\]

Thus:

\[(2k^2 + 3)^2 = 729\]

Take square root:

\[2k^2 + 3 = 27 \quad (\text{since } 2k^2 + 3 > 0)\]

Solve for \(k^2\):

\[2k^2 = 24 \Rightarrow k^2 = 12\]

So:

\[k = \sqrt{12} = 2\sqrt{3} \quad (\text{since } k > 0)\]
Final Answer:
\[2\sqrt{3}\]