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Advanced Math/Application of Disk/Washer System

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Expert: Robi Bhattacharjee - 11/24/2008


Question
What are the real life applications of the disk/washer integration system to find volume in calculus?
You know how you can find the area between 2 functions by taking the integral, and then you have to use the disk/washer system and flip it around the axis to find the volume?

Well, I was wondering...what are some real-life applications of that? What are its uses?

Answer
Hi Frances,

This is a very intelligent question! To answer it, there are indeed many real-life applications to this. Take for example the volume of a sphere. In order to prove that the volume was 4/2pi*(radius)^3, mathematicians used washer method. Now, it's useful to know the volume of a sphere for solving many real life problems.

So essentially, the main real life application of this is to find volumes of curved objects.



I hope this answered your question,

Robi

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Robi Bhattacharjee

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I can answer a variety of questions on mathematics. Questions on trigonometry, calculus(preferably single variable), algebra, geometry, and number theory will be answered. I cannot answer questions on abstract branches of mathematics such as group theory. I also cannot answer questions on statistics. In number theory, I can answer questions on congruences, prime numbers, units, functions, and the riemann-zeta function.

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I have studied advanced math my entire life. I started calculus in sixth grade. I have attended numerous math competitions and I am attending math organizations such as the San-Diego math circle. Also, this year I have been invited to the USAMO which is a prestigious math competition (Every year the USAMO invites 500 students from across the USA to participate in this competition. The top 6 go to represent the USA in the International Math Olympiad).

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I am in the San Diego Math Circle

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I am entering high school and have received a perfect score and the STAR test 5 times in a row. I also have gotten recognitions in the AMC 10, AIME, Math Counts, and ARML. Additionally, I have won the San Diego Math Olimpiad twice in a row.

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