CHAPTER 75 CENTROIDS OF SIMPLE SHAPES

EXERCISE 290 Page 789

1. Find the position of the centroid of the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the given

ordinates: y = 2x ; x = 0, x = 3

A sketch of the area is shown below

3
 2 x3 
xy d x ∫ x ( 2 x ) d x ∫ 2 x 2 d x  3 
3 3 3

=x
∫ =
0 0
=
0
= =
0 [18] =2
∫ y d x ∫ 2x d x ∫ 2x d x [ x ]0
3 3 3
2
3
[9]
0 0 0

1 3 2 1 3
∫ ∫ ( 2x) d x
2
y dx 3
1 3 4  x3  2
=y 2 0
= 2 0
= ∫ (4x )=
2 dx  = [9 − 0] = 2
3
18  3  0 9
∫ 9 18 0
y d x
0

Hence, the centroid is at (2, 2)

2. Find the position of the centroid of the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the given

ordinates: y = 3x + 2 ; x = 0, x = 4

A sketch of the area is shown below

1166 © 2014, John Bird

 + 2) d x
∫ 0 x ( 3 x=
4 4 4
∫ ∫ 3x 2 + 2 x d x [ x3 + x 2 ] 0 [64 + 16]
4
xy d x 80
=x = = = =
0 0
= 2.50
4
∫ yd x
4
∫ 3x + 2 d x ∫0
4
3 x + 2 d x  3x 2
+ 2 x

4
[ 24 + 8] 32
0 0
 2 
0

1 4 2 1 4
∫ ∫ ( 3x + 2 ) d x
2
y dx
1 4 1
y 2 4 = 2 ∫ ( 9 x 2 + 12 x + 4 ) d= [3 x 3 + 6 x 2 + 4 x ] 0
4
= =
0 0
x
∫ yd x 32 64 64
0
0

1 304
= [192 + 96 + 16] = = 4.75
64 64

Hence, the centroid is at (2.50, 4.75)

3. Find the position of the centroid of the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the given

ordinates: y = 5x2 ; x = 1, x = 4

A sketch of the area is shown below.

4
 5x4  5 4 4 5
xy d x ∫ x ( 5 x ) d x ∫ 5 x d x  4  [ 4 −1 ]
4 4 4

=x
∫1
=
1
2

= 4= =
1
3
1
(255)
4 = 4= 318.75 = 3.036
4 4 4
∫1 y d x ∫1 5 x 2 d x ∫1 5x 2 d x  5 x 
5 3 3 5
3

3
[ 4 −1 ]
3
(63) 105
 3 1

1 4 2 1 4
∫ ∫ ( 5x2 ) d x
2
y dx 4
1 4 1  25 x5  5 5
=y 2 1
= 2 1
= ∫ 25 x =
4 dx  = [ 45 −=
15 ] (1023)
4
210  5  1 210
∫ 105 210 210
1
y d x
1

= 24.36

Hence, the centroid lies at (3.036, 24.36)

4. Find the position of the centroid of the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the given

ordinates: y = 2x3 ; x = 0, x = 2

A sketch of the area is shown below

1167 © 2014, John Bird

 2
 2 x5   64 
( )
2 2 2

=x
∫0= ∫0 = ∫0 = =
xy d x x 2 x 3 d x 2 x 4 d x  
5  0  5 
= 1.60
∫0
2
y d x ∫0
2
2 x 3dx
∫0
2
2 x 3dx  2 x4 
2
[ 8]
 4 
0

1 2 2 1 2
∫ ∫ ( 2 x3 ) d x 1 2
2
y dx 2
4  x7  1
=y 2 0
= 2 0
= ∫ ( 4=
x )d x
6 =
  [128 − 0] = 4.57
2
16  7  0 28
∫ 8 16 0
y d x
0

Hence, the centroid is at (1.60, 4.57)

5. Find the position of the centroid of the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the given

ordinates: y = x(3x + 1) ; x = –1, x = 0

A sketch of the area is shown below.

0
 3x 4 x3    3 1 
+  0− −
( )
0 0 0

=
∫
x =
−1
xy d x ∫ −1
x 3 x 2 +
=
x d x ∫ −1
3 x 3 +
=
x 2 d x 
 4
=
3  −1   4 3  

0 0 0 0
  1 
∫ −1 y d x ∫ −1 3 x 2 + xd x
∫ −1 3 x 2 + xd x 
 x 3 +
x2 
 0 −  −1 +  
2  −1   2 

−0.416666
= = –0.833
0.5

1168 © 2014, John Bird

 1 0 2 1 0
∫ ∫ ( 3x 2 + x ) d x
2
y dx 0
 9 x5 6 x 4 x3 
∫ −1 ( 9 x 4 + 6 x3 + x 2 ) d x =  5 + 4 + 3  −1
−1 −1 0
y= 2 0 = 2 =
∫ yd x
−1
0.5

  9 3 1  9 3 1
= 0 −  − + −   = − + = 0.633
  5 2 3  5 2 3

Hence, the centroid lies at (–0.833, 0.633)

1169 © 2014, John Bird

 EXERCISE 291 Page 791

1. Determine the position of the centroid of a sheet of metal formed by the curve y = 4x – x2 which

lies above the x-axis.

y = 4x – x2 = x(4 – x) i.e. when y = 0, x = 0 and x = 4

The area of the sheet of metal is shown sketched below

By symmetry, x=2
4
1 16 x 3 8 x 4 x 5 
(16 x − 8 x + x ) d x 2  3 − 4 + 5  0
1 4 2 1 4 1 4
∫ ∫ ( 4x − x ) d x ∫
2
y dx 2 2 3 4

=y 2= 2 = 2 =
0 0 0

( ) ( )
4 4 4 4
∫0 y d x ∫0 4 x − x 2 dx
∫0 4 x − x 2 dx  2 x3 
 2 x − 3 
0

1
( 341.333 − 512 + 204.8 ) − (0) 
2 17.0665
= = = 1.6
 64  10.666
 32 −  − (0)
 3 

Hence, the coordinates of the centroid are (2, 1.6)

y
2. Find the coordinates of the centroid of the area that lies between the curve = x – 2 and the x-
x
axis.

y
= x – 2 i.e. y = x 2 − 2 x = x(x – 2) Hence, when y = 0 (i.e. the x-axis), x = 0 and x = 2
x
A sketch of y = x 2 − 2 x is shown below

1170 © 2014, John Bird

 By symmetry, x = 1
2
1  x5 4 x3 
1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 4 − 4 +
∫0 y d x 2 ∫0 ( x − 2 x ) d x 2 ∫0 ( x − 4 x + 4 x ) d x 2  5 x
2
3  0
3 2

=y 2= = =
( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
∫0 y d x ∫0 x 2 − 2x d x
∫0 x 2 − 2x d x  x3
 3 − x 
2 
0

1
( 6.4 − 16 + 10.6667 ) − (0) 
2 0.53335
= = = –0.4
( 2.6667 − 4 ) − (0) −1.3333

Hence, the coordinates of the centroid are (1, –0.4)

3. Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area formed between the curve y = 9 – x2 and the

x-axis.

A sketch of y = 9 – x2 is shown below. By symmetry, x = 0

3
1 x5 
1 3 2 1 3
( )
1 3
( ) − 3 +
∫ −3 2 ∫ −3 = 2 ∫ −3
81 x 6 x
2
y d x 9 − x 2 d x 81 − 18 x 2 + x4 d x
2  5  −3
=y 2= =
∫3 ( 9 − x 2 ) d x ∫ −3 ( 9 − x 2 ) d x
3 3 3 3
∫ −3 y d x  x3 
9 x − 3 
−3

1
( 243 − 162 + 48.6 ) − (−243 + 162 − 48.6) 
129.6
= 2 = = 3.6
( 27 − 9 ) − (−27 + 9) 36

Hence, the coordinates of the centroid are (0, 3.6)

4. Determine the centroid of the area lying between y = 4x2, the y-axis and the ordinates y = 0 and

y=4

The curve y = 4x2 is shown in the sketch below

1171 © 2014, John Bird

 4
1 4 2 1 4y 1  y2 
∫0 x d x 2 ∫0 4 d x 2  8  0 1 3
x= 2 4 = = = =
4
= 0.375
∫0 4 y 1  y 3/2  8 8
∫0 2 d x 2  3 / 2  0 3
x d x

4
4 y 4 y 3/2 1  y 5/2 
xy d y ∫ ∫
4

=
∫=
0 0 2=
( y) d y
0
=2
d y 2 5 / 2

=
 0 3  32  3  64  12
= =
y   = 2.40
4
16  5 / 2  16  5  5
∫ xd y
8 8 8
0
3 3 3

Hence, the coordinates of the centroid are (0.375, 2.40)

5. Find the position of the centroid of the area enclosed by the curve y = 5x , the x-axis and the

ordinate x = 5

The curve y = 5x is shown in the sketch below.

1172 © 2014, John Bird

 5
 5
 x2 
5 
  5
( )
1 5
xy d x ∫ x 5 x d x ∫ 0   
5 5 5 3

=
∫
x =
0 0
=
x 5
 =
x 
2 dx

5∫ x2 d x
= =
 2  0 ( 50 ) − ( 0 ) 
= 3.0
( ) [16.6667]
5 5 1 5 1 5
∫0 y d x ∫0 5x d x  3
5
∫ 5 x2 d x 0
5∫ x2 d x
0  x2 
5 
3
 
 2 0

1 5 2 1 5
( )
2

∫ y dx ∫ 5x d x
1 1  5x2 
5
1
(5x ) d x ( 62.5 ) − ( 0 ) 
5
= 2
y = 2 = ∫
= =
0 0
5
33.3333  2  0 33.3333 
 
∫ 16.6667 33.3333 0
y d x
0

= 1.875

Hence, the centroid is at (3.0, 1.875)

6. Sketch the curve y2 = 9x between the limits x = 0 and x = 4. Determine the position of the centroid

of this area.

The curve y2 = 9x is shown sketched below.

By symmetry, y = 0
4
 5
 3x 2 
 5 
( )
xy d x ∫ x 3 x d x ∫ 3 x 2 d x  2 
6 5 6 5 6
3
4 − 0 
4 4 4

=x
∫ =
0 0
=
0
= =
0  x 
5= 5 = 5  (32)

∫0 y d x ∫0 3 x d x ∫0 3x 2 d x  3x 32  2  x3  2  43 − 0 2(8)
4 4 4 1 4

 3 
 
 2 0
38.4
= = 2.4
16

1173 © 2014, John Bird

 Hence, the centroid is at (2.4, 0)

y2
7. Calculate the points of intersection of the curves x2 = 4y and = x, and determine the position of
4
the centroid of the area enclosed by them.

The curves are shown in the sketch below.

x2 x4
Since x 2 = 4 y then y = and y 2 =
4 16

y2
and for the second curve, = x i.e. y 2 = 4 x
4

x4
Hence, equating the y 2 values gives: = 4x and x 4 = 64 x i.e. x 4 − 64 x =
0
16

from which, 0 giving x = 0 and x 3 − 64 =

x( x 3 − 64) = 0 i.e. x3 = 64 and x = 3
64 = 4

When x = 0, y = 0 and when x = 4, y = 4

Hence, the curves intersect at (0, 0) and (4, 4)

4
 5 
 2x 2 x4 
 5 − 
4  x2  16 
∫
3 4 5 256 128
x 
3
x − d x
4
∫0
4

=
∫0 xy d x
x =
0
x2
 =
4 
2 x 2 −

= 4
d x
 2
=
 0 5 =
4 −
16 5
− 16
4 4
∫ yd x
1
4 x2 4 x2  3  4 3 64 32 16
0 ∫ 0
2 x−
4
dx ∫ 0
2 x 2 −
4
d x
 2x 2 x 
3 3
4 −
12
−
3 3
 3 − 
 12 
 2 0
9.6
= = 1.80
5.3333

1174 © 2014, John Bird

Taking moments about 0x gives:

( )
(total area) y = (area of strip)(perpendicular distance of centroid of strip to 0x)

x2   1  x2  x2 
( ) ∫ 
4
− − +
0   
i.e. (5.3333) y =
4   2  4  4 
2 x 2 x dx


4  x 2  x2  4  x5/2 x5/2 x 4 
= ∫0  2 x −
4 
 x +
8 
 d x= ∫0  2 x +
4
− − d x
4 32 

4
4 x4   2 x5 
= ∫  2x −  d x = x − =
16 − 6.4 = 9.6
0
 32   160  0

9.6
from which, y= = 1.80
5.3333

Hence, the centroid of the enclosed area is at (1.80, 1.80)

8. Sketch the curves y = 2x2 + 5 and y – 8 = x(x + 2) on the same axes and determine their points of

intersection. Calculate the coordinates of the centroid of the area enclosed by the two curves.

The curves are shown in the sketch below.

y – 8 = x(x + 2) is equivalent to y = 8 + x 2 + 2x or y = x 2 + 2x + 8

Equating the y-values gives: 2 x 2 + 5 = x 2 + 2x + 8 i.e. x 2 – 2x – 3 = 0

1175 © 2014, John Bird
 i.e. (x – 3)(x + 1) = 0

from which, x = 3 and x = –1

When x = –1, y = 7 and when x = 3, y = 23

Hence, the coordinates of the points of intersection of the two curves occurs at (–1, 7) and

(3, 23)

x ( x 2 + 2 x + 8 ) − ( 2 x 2 + 5 )  d x ∫ x ( − x + 2 x + 3) d x
3 3 3

=x
∫=
−1
xy d x ∫
−1 
=
−1
2

2 ( x 2 + 2 x + 8 ) − ( 2 x 2 + 5 )  d x ∫ ( − x + 2 x + 3) d x
3 3 3
∫ yd x ∫
−1 −1 −1
2

3
 x 4 2 x3 3x 2   81 27   1 2 3  
− + + − + 18 +  −  − − +  
( )
3
∫1
= −
=
− x 3 + 2 x 2 + 3 x d x
= 

 4 3 
2  −1  
 4 2   4 3 2 
 x3 2 + 3x 
3
 1  2
−
 3 + x   ( −9 + 9 + 9 ) −  + 1 − 3   10
−1  3  3

80 24 2 2
− + 18 + + 10
= 4 2 3 = 3 =1
2 2
10 10
3 3
Taking moments about 0x gives:

( )
(total area) y = (area of strip)(perpendicular distance of centroid of strip to 0x)

( ) ∫ ( − x 2 + 2 x + 3)  ( − x 2 + 2 x + 3) + 2 x 2 + 5 d x
3 1
i.e. (10.6666) y =
−1
2 
3 13 
∫ (−x+ 2 x + 3)  x 2 + x +  d x
3
= 2
−1
2 2
3 3 13 9 39 
= ∫  − x 4 − x3 − x 2 + 3 x 3 + 2 x 2 + 13 x + x 2 + 3 x +  d x
−1
 2 2 2 2 
3
 3
3 39   3 x5 2 x 4 16 x 2 39 
= ∫  − x 4 + 2 x3 + 16 x +  d x =
− + + + x
−1
 2 2   10 4 2 2  −1

 81 117   3 1 39  
=  −72.9 + + 72 +  −  + + 8 −   = 108.8
 2 2   10 2 2 

108.8
from which, y= = 10.20
10.6666

Hence, the centroid of the enclosed area is at (1, 10.20)

1176 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 292 Page 794

1. A right-angled isosceles triangle having a hypotenuse of 8 cm is revolved one revolution about one

of its equal sides as axis. Determine the volume of the solid generated using Pappus’s theorem.

If the two equal sides of the isosceles triangle are each x, then by Pythagoras:

x2 + x2 =
82 i.e. 2 x 2 = 64 and x 2 = 32 from which, x = 32 = 5.657 cm

The triangle is shown below

Using Pappus, volume, V = ( area ) 2π y ( )

For a triangle, the centroid lies at one-third of the perpendicular height above any side as base

1
Hence, y= × 5.657 cm = 1.8857 cm
3

Thus, (
volume, V = ( area ) 2π y =)
1 
 × 5.657 × 5.657  ( 2π ×1.8857 )
2 
= 189.6 cm3

2. A rectangle measuring 10.0 cm by 6.0 cm rotates one revolution about one of its longest sides as

axis. Determine the volume of the resulting cylinder by using the theorem of Pappus.

The rectangle is shown below

1177 © 2014, John Bird

 Using Pappus, volume, V = ( area ) 2π y =( )
(10 × 6 )  2π × 

6
2
= 360π = 1131 cm3

3. Using (a) the theorem of Pappus and (b) integration, determine the position of the centroid of a

metal template in the form of a quadrant of a circle of radius 4 cm (the equation of a circle, centre

0, radius r is x2 + y2 = r2).

(a) A sketch of the template is shown below.

Using Pappus, volume, V = ( area ) 2π y ( )

i.e.
14 3 1
 π r  = (π r ) 2π y
23  4
2
( )
2 3
πr 4r 4(4)
from which, =
y 3 = = = 1.70 cm
 π r2  3π 3π
  ( 2π )
 4 

By symmetry, x = 1.70 cm

Hence, the centroid of the template is at (1.70, 1.70)

4
 1
) 
3

 2(
− 16 − x 2 2

 
( x 2 ) ) d x ∫ x (16 − x 2 ) 2 d x
3
 
1

∫0 (16 − =
4 4 4

=
∫0 xy d x
(b) x =
x
0
=
 2 0
( ) ( )
4 4 4 4
∫ yd x0 ∫0 4 2 − x2 d x
∫0 4 2 − x2 d x  42 x x
 2 sin 4 + 2
−1
( 42 − x 2 ) 
0
(the numerator being an algebraic substitution – see Chapter 64 – and the
denominator being a sin θ substitution – see Chapter 65)

1178 © 2014, John Bird

  1  3  
 − ( 0 ) − 16 2   
64
= 3      3
i.e. x = 1.70
 ( 8sin −1 1 + 2(0) ) − ( 8sin −1 0 + 0(4) )   12.566
 
 

By symmetry, y = 1.70 cm

Hence, the centroid lies on the centre line OC (see diagram), at coordinates (1.70, 1.70)

The distance from 0 is given by (1.702 + 1.702 ) = 2.40 cm

4. (a) Determine the area bounded by the curve y = 5x2, the x-axis and the ordinates x = 0 and x = 3

(b) If this area is revolved 360° about (i) the x-axis, and (ii) the y-axis, find the volumes of the

solids of revolution produced in each case.

(c) Determine the coordinates of the centroid of the area using (i) integral calculus, and (ii) the

theorem of Pappus.

(a) The area is shown in the sketch below

3
 5 x3  5 3
( 3 − 0 ) = 45 square units
3
Shaded area = ∫ 0
5x =
dx  =
2

 3 0 3
3
 x5 
∫ π ( 5 x )= 5π [35 − 0]
3 3 3
∫ π y= 25π ∫ d x 25π  =
2
(b)(i) Volume=
x -axis dx2 dx 2 x=
4

0 0 0
 0
5

= 1215π cubic units

(ii) Volume y -axis = (volume generated by x = 3) – (volume generated by y = 5x2)
45
45 45  y 45  y  y2 
= ∫ 0
π (3) d y − ∫
2
0
π   d y =π ∫  9 −  d y =π 9 y − 
5 0
 5  10  0

 452  
= π  9(45) −  − (0) = π [405 − 202.5] = 202.5π cubic units
 10  

1179 © 2014, John Bird

 3
 5x4  5 4
x ( 5 x ) d x ∫ 5 x d x  4  (3 − 0)
3 3 3

=
(c)(i) x
∫=
0
xy d x ∫
0
=
2
0
3

= = 4
0
= 2.25
3
∫ yd x
0
45 45 45 45

3
1 3 2 1 3 1  25 x5  5 5
∫ y dx ∫ 25 x d x 2  5 
4
  [3 − 0]
=y 2= 2 = = 2
0 0 0
3
= 13.5
∫ yd x 45
0
45 45

Hence, (2.25, 13.5) are the coordinates of the centroid

(
(ii) Using Pappus, volume generated when the shaded area is revolved about 0y = (area) 2π x )
i.e. 202.5π = (45) 2π x( )
202.5π
from which, x= = 2.25
(45)(2π )

(
Similarly, volume generated when the shaded area is revolved about 0x = (area) 2π y )
i.e. 1215π = (45) 2π y ( )
1215π
from which, y= = 13.5
(40)(2π )

Hence, (2.25, 13.5) are the coordinates of the centroid

5. A metal disc has a radius of 7.0 cm and is of thickness 2.5 cm. A semicircular groove of diameter

2.0 cm is machined centrally around the rim to form a pulley. Determine the volume of metal

removed using Pappus’ theorem and express this as a percentage of the original volume of the disc.

Find also the mass of metal removed if the density of the metal is 7800 kg m–3

A side view of the rim of the disc is shown below.

1180 © 2014, John Bird

When area PQRS is rotated about axis XX the volume generated is that of the pulley. The centroid
4r
of the semi-circular area removed is at a distance of from its diameter, from Problem 3 above,
3π
4(1.0)
i.e. = 0.424 cm from PQ.
3π

Distance of centroid from XX = 7.0 – 0.424 = 6.576 cm

Distance moved in 1 revolution by the centroid = 2π(6.576) cm

π r 2 π (1.0) 2 π
Area of semicircle =
= = cm 2
2 2 2

By Pappus, volume generated = area × distance moved by the centroid

π 
i.e. volume of metal removed =   ( 2π (6.576) ) = 64.90 cm3
2

( 7.0 ) ( 2.5) 384.845cm3

disc = π r 2 h π=
2
Volume of =

64.90
Thus, percentage of metal removed = ×100% = 16.86%
384.845

Mass of metal removed = density × volume

kg
= 7800 × 64.90 ×10−6 m3 = 0.5062 kg or 506.2 g
m3

1181 © 2014, John Bird