Related Formula
Idisc = (1)/(2) M R²$$I_{\text{disc}} = \frac{1}{2} M R^2$$ [cite: 833]
I = Icm + M d² (Parallel Axis Theorem)$$I = I_{\text{cm}} + M d^2 \quad \text{(Parallel Axis Theorem)}$$ [cite: 848]
Core Logic
Let the original mass density per unit area be σ$\sigma$. Without any cavity, the moment of inertia is: [cite: 198, 833]
I₁ = (MR²)/(2)$$I_1 = \frac{MR^2}{2}$$ [cite: 833]
The mass of the removed small section scales directly with its cut-out area profile: [cite: 198, 834]
m = (M)/(π R²) × π ((R)/(3))² = (M)/(9)$$m = \frac{M}{\pi R^2} \times \pi \left(\frac{R}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{M}{9}$$ [cite: 198, 834, 844]
The center of mass of the removed disk sits at a distance d = R - (R)/(3) = (2R)/(3)$d = R - \frac{R}{3} = \frac{2R}{3}$ away from the primary center O$O$[cite: 198, 205, 848]. Calculating its partial moment of inertia about O$O$ via the parallel axis theorem: [cite: 199, 848]
I₂ = (m r²)/(2) + m d² = ((M)/(9)((R)/(3))²)/(2) + (M)/(9)((2R)/(3))²$$I_2 = \frac{m r^2}{2} + m d^2 = \frac{\frac{M}{9}\left(\frac{R}{3}\right)^2}{2} + \frac{M}{9}\left(\frac{2R}{3}\right)^2$$ [cite: 848]
I₂ = (MR²)/(162) + (4MR²)/(81) = (MR² + 8MR²)/(162) = (9MR²)/(162) = (MR²)/(18)$$I_2 = \frac{MR^2}{162} + \frac{4MR^2}{81} = \frac{MR^2 + 8MR^2}{162} = \frac{9MR^2}{162} = \frac{MR^2}{18}$$ [cite: 848, 850]
Subtracting the removed component from the original configuration: [cite: 851]
I = I₁ - I₂ = (MR²)/(2) - (MR²)/(18) = (9MR² - MR²)/(18) = (8MR²)/(18) = (4)/(9)MR²$$I = I_1 - I_2 = \frac{MR^2}{2} - \frac{MR^2}{18} = \frac{9MR^2 - MR^2}{18} = \frac{8MR^2}{18} = \frac{4}{9}MR^2$$ [cite: 851]
Matching this with (4)/(x)MR²$\frac{4}{x}MR^2$, we find x = 9$x = 9$[cite: 200, 208, 851, 853].
Pattern Recognition
For uniform planar surfaces, mass always scales squarely with linear dimension changes (r arrow (r)/(3) m arrow (m)/(9)$r \rightarrow \frac{r}{3} \implies m \rightarrow \frac{m}{9}$)[cite: 198, 834, 844]. Always apply the parallel axis theorem to bring the component values to a unified reference point before executing addition or subtraction[cite: 848, 851].
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion