So I'm working on washers and I was given the equation of $$1/\sqrt{1+x^2}$$ and I am supposed to rotate the solid around the $x$-axis on the interval of $[-1,1]$. I know that I am supposed to use washers, but I can't figure out how to find the equation for the outer radius and the inner radius.
Washers and Integrals
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2The inner radius is $0$, there is no "hole." – 2012-12-15
2 Answers
You have the functions $$f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 + x^2}}.$$ The function is clearly defined on the interval $[-1,1]$. When you rotate the graph around the $x$-axis, then get a solid. If you try to draw a picture it might help to see that for a fixed $x$ the "inner radius" in this case is simply $0$. The outer radius is $f(x)$. So the volume is $$ \int_{-1}^{1} \pi f(x)^2 \; dx. $$ Unless you ask, I will let you find this integral.
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1It just sounded funny how you said that the function is "clearly" defined on $[-1,1]$. :P But good answer. +1 – 2012-12-15
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0@PatrickDaSilva: Yeah, now that I read it again I agree that sounds a bit strange. I guess the fraction just made me automatically make the mental note that it actually is defined on this interval :) – 2012-12-15
Be sure you have a clear visualization of what you are working with (and trying to accomplish):
Rotate the region on the left about the $x$ axis to generate the solid on the right. (It is drawn to look hollow, but imagine it as a solid region.) The arrows on the left indicate some representative radii of the disks you get when you rotate about the $x$ axis to generate the solid.
As mentioned above, this is really using disks rather than washers since there is no hole in the solid of revolution.
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2The left graph is misleading in that it doesn't actually include the $x$ axis (which is to be rotated about). The right one appears not to have anything to do with the problem. – 2012-12-15
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0@HenningMakholm [This](http://tinyurl.com/bqsma2w) might be the plot you are looking for. – 2012-12-15
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0Sorry! I misread the axis of revolution as "y axis". I will fix the pic. – 2012-12-15
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0Can you tell me the program you use to get the visualization please? – 2013-12-02
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0@extremez: I did these in *Mathematica*. – 2013-12-02