6.1 Volumes Using Cross-Sections

The animation linked to below is another holdover from older materials.

Washer method


Play the video below to see an animation of the construction of the solid in space with base $R$ in the $x,y$-plane defined by $R=\{(x,y): x^2\leq y\leq 1\}$ and the property that cross-sections perpendicular to the $y$-axis are all squares. The areas of these cross-sections are given by $A(y)=(2\sqrt{y})^2 = 4y$, and so the total volume of the solid can be computed with the integral $\int_0^1 4y\,dy$.