The figure shows a ring-shaped area d A plotted on the radial surface of a shaft with radius R. The radius of the ring is rho and the circumference is 2 pi rho. The thickness of the ring is d ρ. d A = 2 pi rho times d P.

To derive the polar moment of inertia for a hollow circular cross section, the value of ρ ranges between the inside radius r and the outside radius R.

J=∫Aρ2dA=∫rRρ2 (2πρ) dρ               =2π∫rRρ3 dρ               =2π4 ρ4rR         ∴J=π2(R4-r4)              =π32(D4-d4)