Focus: Integrals for Area and

Volume
Project Standards:
• College Board Advanced Placement Calculus -- The student will apply
the definite integral to solve…. volumes of solids with known cross-
sectional areas.
• NCTM Geometry (analyze 3-dimensional geometric shapes)
• NCTM Measurement (Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas
to determine measurements)
• NCTM Problem Solving (Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate
strategies to solve problems)
• NCTM Communication (Use the language of mathematics to express
mathematical ideas precisely)

OBJECTIVE
• Students will find the volume of a solid whose areas of its cross-
sectional varies along its length by slicing the figure into slabs, using
geometric formulas to find the areas and then performing appropriate
calculus using the definite integral. The answer will be determined by
using the graphing calculator once the integral has been set up.
• Students will reinforce conceptual connections within and outside
mathematics.
• Students will use different representations – graphical, algebraic,
verbal and physical to investigate and understand this math concept.

AREA FORMULAS NEEDED

Isosceles Triangle ½bh Equilateral Triangle s234 Square s2
Rectangle bh Circle π r2

VOCABULARY
area cross-section fundamental theorem of calculus
Horizontal/vertical slice
integral limit Reimann sum slab volume

DELIVERABLES
• Ten past AP test questions on area and volume – follow directions on
the sheet!
• You are assigned to make a 3-D model of a solid with a known cross
section and determine its volume. Your problem will be assigned
randomly. See other side of this sheet for more information.
 3 – DIMENSIONAL VOLUME PROJECT
Make a 3-D model of a solid with a known cross section

You will be modeling problem number # with a cross section shape

of <random>

1. On a sheet of paper, find the area of region R

a. Estimate using the trapezoidal method: that is, slice it into at
least seven equal partitions and estimate the volume using
trapezoids.
b. Set up the integral to solve for the exact area of region R.
Remember, this is the limit as the number of partitions goes to
infinity. Solve using your calculator.
2. Region R is the base of a solid. The cross sections of the solid are in
the shape of a isosceles triangle with height = 3. A stiff board must be
used to host your 3-D project. I recommend foam core, but cardboard
works. Please pay careful attention to the requirements.
a. Sketch the graphs of the equations that bound the base of the
solid.
b. Construct the solid by placing at least 7 equally spaced cross
sections (choose material that will be stiff – I recommend foam
core, but cardboard works) that represent cross-sectional slices
perpendicular to the base.
c. On the back of your board, estimate the volume of the solid
using a right Riemann sum. That is, slice it into at least seven
equal “slabs” with a cross section shape of isosceles triangle with
height = 3, determine the volume of each slab, and then sum
these slabs for the total volume. I recommend doing this on a
sheet of paper first – make the board as neat as possible!
d. On the front of your board, set up the integral which will
determine the exact volume, and solve using the Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus. Check your answer with your calculator.

Grading Rubric
20% AP test questions assigned on area and volume
15% Riemann estimate on back of board with equations
& bounds clearly stated
15% Curve sketched accurately
25% 7+ Slabs placed accurately on base (stiff material used)
10% Integral for volume properly set up and solved with equations
& bounds clearly stated
10% Aesthetic quality of the project (creativity & neatness encouraged)
5% Volume accurately determined