Past exam of the physics 1 paper of the University of Oxford / 2017 / 6 / a

The parallel axis theorem relates the moment of inertia $I$ about an axis to $I_{\mathrm{CM}}$ about a parallel axis through the centre of mass, separated by perpendicular distance $d$:In the defining mass integral, expanding the squared distance produces a cross term whose first mass moment about the centre of mass is zero.

For a thin planar rigid body, the perpendicular axis theorem applies to two perpendicular axes $x,y$ in its plane and the perpendicular axis $z$, all meeting at the same point:Indeed, $I_x=\int y^{2}dm$, $I_y=\int x^{2}dm$, and $I_z=\int (x^2+y^2)dm$. The planar condition is essential; this is not an identity for an arbitrary three-dimensional rigid body.