Washer Method

Definition

The washer method is a technique used to find the volume of a solid of revolution by integrating the difference between two functions, where one function is inside another. It involves slicing the solid into thin washers and summing their volumes.

Related terms

Volume: The measure of space occupied by a three-dimensional object. In calculus, it refers to finding the amount of space enclosed by curves or surfaces.

Solid of Revolution: A three-dimensional shape formed by rotating a curve or region around an axis. The washer method is commonly used to find the volume of solids of revolution.

Disk Method: Another technique for finding the volume of solids obtained by revolving curves around an axis. It involves slicing the solid into disks perpendicular to the axis and summing their volumes.