Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Rajeev Bagra
When a 2-D region is revolved around an axis, it creates a 3-D solid. To find the volume of such a solid, we slice it into many thin pieces, find the volume of each slice, and then integrate (add up) all slices.
There are two main techniques for this in definite integral calculus: the Disk/Washer Method and the Shell Method.
🧠 Intuitive Understanding
Disk (or Washer) Method
- Slices are made perpendicular to the axis of revolution.
- Each slice forms a disk (or washer if there’s a hole).
- The volume is the sum (integral) of these disk volumes.
Think of stacking thin coins or CDs along an axis.
Shell Method
- Slices are made parallel to the axis of revolution.
- Each slice forms a thin cylindrical shell when revolved.
- The total volume is obtained by adding up all these shell volumes.
Think of many paper tubes (cylindrical shells) wrapped around the axis.
🔢 Mathematical Formulas
Disk Method (No Hole)
For a region bounded by ( y = f(x) ), revolved about the x-axis:
Washer Method (With Inner and Outer Radii)
For a region between ( y = R(x) ) and ( y = r(x) ) revolved about the x-axis:
Shell Method (Around the y-axis)
For a region under ( y = f(x) ) from ( x=a ) to ( x=b ):
Shell Method (Around the x-axis)
If the region is described by ( x = f(y) ) from ( y=c ) to ( y=d ):
📊 Conceptual Diagrams
Disk / Washer Method
y
↑
| *****
| * * y = f(x)
| * *
| * *
| *****
+------------------> x
| | | |
Thin slices (disks) perpendicular to x-axis
Here’s the same text rewritten with proper LaTeX shortcodes so it renders correctly:
Each slice has a radius and area
.
Volume of slice ≈ .
Shell Method
y
↑
| ______
| | | ← vertical strip at x; when revolved, forms a thin shell
| | |
+------------------> x
x x+dx
When this strip at (x) (height (f(x))) revolves around the y-axis:
- Circumference = (2.pi.x)
- Height = (f(x))
- Thickness = (dx)
🧮 Worked Examples
Example 1 — Disk Method
Find the volume formed by revolving the region under ( y = x^2 ) from ( x = 0 ) to ( x = 1 ) about the x-axis.
The volume using the disk method is:
Evaluating the integral:
Hence, the volume of the solid formed by revolving ( y = x^2 ) about the x-axis is π/5 cubic units.
Example 2 — Shell Method
Revolve the same region ( y = x^2 ), ( 0 \le x \le 1 ), around the y-axis.
The volume using the shell method is:
Evaluating the integral:
Hence, the volume of the solid formed by revolving ( y = x^2 ) about the y-axis is π/2 cubic units.
Example 3 — Choosing Between Disk and Shell
For the region bounded by ,
, and
, revolved about the x-axis:
- Disk method (simple):
Shell method (harder):
Would require expressing ( x ) as a function of ( y ) and integrating with respect to ( y ).
Hence, Disk/Washer method is the better choice here.
🧩 When to Use Which
Situation | Use Disk/Washer | Use Shell |
---|---|---|
Axis of rotation is x-axis and function is (y=f(x)) | ✅ | ❌ |
Axis of rotation is y-axis and function is (y=f(x)) | ❌ | ✅ |
Easy to express radius | ✅ | |
Easy to express height × radius | ✅ | |
Cross-sections perpendicular to axis | ✅ | |
Cross-sections parallel to axis | ✅ |
📘 Summary of Key Formulas
Method | Formula | Axis |
---|---|---|
Disk | x-axis | |
Washer | x-axis | |
Shell | y-axis | |
Shell | x-axis |
🪄 Final Thoughts
- Disk/Washer → use when perpendicular slicing gives easy radii.
- Shell → use when parallel slicing gives easier height × radius.
- If one looks messy, try the other — both represent the same geometric idea: summing infinitely thin volumes to find total volume.
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