The variables x any y are measured in feet.
The work to be done consists of hauling stone, which weighs 80 lbs a cubic foot,from ground level to its place in the pyramid. All the work done is against gravity, i.e., lifting the stone vertically; horizontal movement is not a factor in this problem.
|
|
|
The work in building the pyramid is to be done by student volunteers. What is the total amount of work they will do?
Solution:
Think of the pyramid as a set of circular disks whose radius at height y is x and volume is
p x2 dy. Then the work done in lifting the blocks to the height y is
Consequently, the total work done is equal to the integral
![]()
![]()
