Interactive calculator for the method of cylindrical shells, showing volumes of revolution
The method of cylindrical shells computes the volume of a solid of revolution by integrating the surface areas of infinitesimally thin cylindrical shells. Given a function f(x) rotated about an axis, each shell has radius x, height f(x), and thickness dx, yielding the integral V=2π∫xf(x)dx. This calculator lets you enter a function and visualize the resulting shells and solid of revolution.
Controls: Click and drag to orbit, scroll to zoom.
