Q:

Alternate solutions to Resistance of a Conical Frustum

Since for a cylinder $R = \rho\frac{\text{length}}{\text{Area}}$
I assumed an equation of radius of this frustum: $\text{radius} = \frac{b-a}{\text{length}}x$
and then integrated to get the answer
$$\int_0^L dR =  \int_0^L \rho\frac{dx}{\pi\left(a+\frac{b-a}{L}x\right)^2}$$
$$R = \rho\frac{L}{\pi ab}$$
Are there other ways to find the Resistance without assuming an equation of radius (although it is not that difficult to assume such an equation using details given in the problem)

A:

You aren't assuming anything. The problem states

The radius of the cross-section varies linearly from $a$ to $b$

Therefore, your "assumption" is just a fact given to you by the problem. If the radius didn't vary linearly than you would be dealing with an entirely different geometry.
I don't think there's another way to solve this problem, and if there is I can't imagine it being any simpler than the way you've already used.

