Volumes of Revolution

Coach Name: Sir Muhammad Abdullah Shah

Edexcel IAL June 2021 P4 (WMA14/01) Q2 Parametric Equation, Differentiation, Volume of Revolutions

Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation

\( y = \frac{9}{(2x – 3)^{1.25}} \quad x > \frac{3}{2} \)

Figure 1 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation

The finite region \( R \), shown shaded in Figure 1, is bounded by the curve, the line with equation \( y = 9 \) and the line with equation \( x = 6 \). This region is rotated through \( 2\pi \) radians about the \( x \)-axis to form a solid of revolution.

Find, by algebraic integration, the exact volume of the solid generated.

Solution to Question: Volume of Revolution
Key Concepts Used:
  • Volume of Revolution: \( V = \pi \int_{a}^{b} y^2 dx \) for rotation about the \( x \)-axis
  • Subtraction of Volumes: The region \( R \) is under \( y = 9 \) but above the curve, so volume = volume of cylinder – volume under curve
  • Substitution: Let \( u = 2x – 3 \) to simplify the integral
Step-by-Step Working:
  1. Understand the Region R

    The region is bounded by:

    Curve:

    \( y = \frac{9}{(2x – 3)^{1.25}} \)

    Horizontal line:

    \( y = 9 \)

    Vertical line:

    \( x = 6 \)

    Find the left boundary (where curve and line meet):

    Set \( y = 9 \):

    \( 9 = \frac{9}{(2x – 3)^{1.25}} \Rightarrow (2x – 3)^{1.25} = 1 \Rightarrow 2x – 3 = 1 \Rightarrow x = 2 \)

    So, region R is from \( x = 2 \) to \( x = 6 \).
  2. Volume of the Cylinder

    The region under \( y = 9 \) from \( x = 2 \) to \( x = 6 \) forms a cylinder when rotated.

    Volume of cylinder:

    \( V_{cylinder} = \pi \int_{2}^{6} (9)^2 dx = \pi \int_{2}^{6} 81 dx = 81\pi[x]_{2}^{6} = 81\pi(6 – 2) = 324\pi \)
  3. Volume Under the Curve

    The volume generated by the curve when rotated is:

    \( V_{curve} = \pi \int_{2}^{6} \left( \frac{9}{(2x – 3)^{1.25}} \right)^2 dx = \pi \int_{2}^{6} \frac{81}{(2x – 3)^{2.5}} dx \)
  4. Use Substitution

    Let \( u = 2x – 3 \), then \( du = 2dx \Rightarrow dx = \frac{du}{2} \).

    (Why choose \( u = 2x – 3 \)?
    The denominator is \( (2x – 3)^{2.5} \), and its derivative is 2, which helps cancel out.)

    Now, change limits:

    * When \( x = 2, u = 2(2) – 3 = 1 \)

    * When \( x = 6, u = 2(6) – 3 = 9 \)

    So,

    \( V_{\text{curve}} = \pi \int_{u=1}^{u=9} \frac{81}{u^{2.5}} \cdot \frac{du}{2} = \frac{81\pi}{2} \int_{1}^{9} u^{-2.5} du \)

  5. Integrate

    \( \int u^{-2.5} du = \int u^{-5/2} du = \frac{u^{-3/2}}{-3/2} = -\frac{2}{3} u^{-3/2} \)

    So,

    \( V_{\text{curve}} = \frac{81\pi}{2} \left[ -\frac{2}{3} u^{-3/2} \right]_{1}^{9} = \frac{81\pi}{2} \left( -\frac{2}{3} \right) \left[ u^{-3/2} \right]_{1}^{9} = -27\pi \left[ u^{-3/2} \right]_{1}^{9} \)
  6. Evaluate:

    – At \( u = 9; 9^{-3/2} = (9^{1/2})^{-3} = 3^{-3} = \frac{1}{27} \)

    – At \( u = 1; 1^{-3/2} = 1 \)

    So,

    \( V_{\text{curve}} = -27\pi \left( \frac{1}{27} – 1 \right) = -27\pi \left( \frac{1 – 27}{27} \right) = -27\pi \cdot \left( -\frac{26}{27} \right) = 26\pi \)
  7. Net Volume

    The actual volume of the solid is the volume of the cylinder minus the volume under the curve:

    \( V = V_{\text{cylinder}} – V_{\text{curve}} = 324\pi – 26\pi = 298\pi \)

    (Why subtract volumes?
    The region R is above the curve but below \( y = 9 \), so rotating it gives a solid with a hole (like a bowl). The volume is the cylinder minus the volume under the curve.)

Final Answer:
\( 298\pi \)