Multiple Dimensions - Moving On To 3

Calculus Level 2

Given that the surface area of a 3-D sphere of radius r r is 4 π r 2 4 \pi r ^2 , what is the volume of the sphere?


This problem is part of Calvin's set Fun In Multiple Dimensions .

Image credit: Wikipedia Jheald
4 π r 3 4 \pi r^3 2 3 π r 3 \frac{2}{3} \pi r^3 2 π r 3 2 \pi r^3 4 3 π r 3 \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3

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4 solutions

Khushro Shahookar
May 16, 2014

Here is a more complete solution. Of course, no solution will be complete unless it starts by explaining why the integral of the surface area = volume.

Suppose surface area of the sphere = f ( r ) = 4 π r 2 f(r) = 4\pi r^2

Now consider the volume of a very thin spherical shell or coating around this surface area, with thickness dr. This is like a thin sheet with a surface area and thickness.

The volume of this thin spherical shell \approx surface area x thickness

d V = 4 π r 2 d r dV = 4\pi r^2 dr

To find the volume of the whole sphere, V from the above, we must sum the volumes of all the thin shells or layers making up the whole sphere, starting from 0 up to r, and we do this by integrating both sides:

V = d V = 4 π r 2 d r = 4 3 π r 3 V = \int dV = \int 4\pi r^2 dr = {4 \over 3}\pi r^3

Very nice solution

Harish Chauhan - 7 years ago
Ashwarrth A
May 14, 2014

integrating 4pir^2 with respect to r we get 4/3pir^2

A slip:- NOT 4/3pir^2 BUT 4/3pir^3.

Niranjan Khanderia - 7 years ago

It is known that the surface area of the sphere radius r is 4pir^2 and its volume, 4/3pir^3.

You can also use Riemann Sum to derive the formula for the volume of a sphere..

Razik Ridzuan - 7 years ago
Sindhu Bharathi
May 16, 2014

integrate the surface area wrt r=4/3pir^2

and it is a well known formula

Sindhu Bharathi - 7 years ago

It should be (4/3) r **3

Harish Chauhan - 7 years ago

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