Texas College Mathematics Journal
Vol.4 (2007), pp. 13-20.

Disk versus Frustum

Cong X. Kang and Eunjeong Yi

 

MSC (2000): Primary 26B15; Secondary 26-01

Key words: volume, surface area, disk, frustum

Abstract: This note provides a friendly exposition which fills a gap in typical, current calculus texts. We ask and answer the question: “Why, in dealing with a solid of revolution, do we use disks for volume, but frusta for surface area?” We provide a rationale with explicit examples.

Texas A&M University-Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553
e-mail address: kangc@tamug.edu; yie@tamug.edu .

Received by Editor: May 22, 2007 and, in revised form, December 11, 2007.
Posted: December 18, 2007

© Copyright 2007