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Arc Length Calculation Examples

The document provides a detailed explanation of the arc length formula and includes step-by-step examples for calculating arc lengths of different functions. It covers the necessary derivatives, substitutions, and integrations needed to find the lengths of curves defined by mathematical functions. Four examples illustrate the process for functions expressed in both x and y terms.

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Ben Mugo Esq.
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15 views2 pages

Arc Length Calculation Examples

The document provides a detailed explanation of the arc length formula and includes step-by-step examples for calculating arc lengths of different functions. It covers the necessary derivatives, substitutions, and integrations needed to find the lengths of curves defined by mathematical functions. Four examples illustrate the process for functions expressed in both x and y terms.

Uploaded by

Ben Mugo Esq.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Arc Length - Step by Step

Arc Length Formula


The length of a curve from point A to point B is given by:
s  2
Z B
dy
L= 1+ dx
A dx

or equivalently: Z B p
s= 1 + (y 0 )2 dx
A
0 dy
where y = dx
. If the function is x in terms of y, the formula is:
s 2
Z D 
dx
L= 1+ dy
C dy

Example 1
Find the arc length of f (x) = 1 + 6x3/2 from x = 0 to x = 1.
Step 1: Compute the derivative
3 √
f 0 (x) = 0 + · 6x1/2 = 9 x
2
Step 2: Square the derivative
√
(f 0 (x))2 = (9 x)2 = 81x

Step 3: Substitute into the formula


√
Z 1
L= 1 + 81x dx
0

Step 4: Use substitution


du
u = 1 + 81x ⇒ du = 81 dx ⇒ dx =
81
Change the limits:
x = 0 ⇒ u = 1, x = 1 ⇒ u = 82
Step 5: Integrate
Z 82 Z 82
1 √ 1 1 2  3/2 82 2
u1/2 du = 823/2 − 1

L= u du = · u 1
=
81 1 81 1 81 3 243
Approx. L ≈ 6.103

1
Example 2
Find the arc length of y = 32 x2/3 from x = 1 to x = 8.
Step 1: Compute the derivative
3 2
y 0 = · x−1/3 = x1/3
2 3
Step 2: Substitute into formula
Z 8q Z 8p
L= 1/3 2
1 + (x ) dx = 1 + x2/3 dx
1 1
Step 3: Factor and use substitution
2 3
u = 1 + x2/3 ⇒ du = x−1/3 dx ⇒ dx = x1/3 du
3 2
Change limits:
x = 1 ⇒ u = 2, x=8⇒u=5
Step 4: Integrate
3
Z 5 √ 3 2 3/2 5 √ √
L= u du = · [u ]2 = [5 5 − 2 2] ≈ 8.352
2 2 2 3

Example 3 (x in terms of y)
Given x = 31 (y 2 + 2)3/2 , find the arc length from y = 0 to y = 4.
Step 1: Compute derivative
dx 1 3 p
= · (y 2 + 2)1/2 · 2y = y y 2 + 2
dy 3 2
Step 2: Substitute into formula
Z 4q p Z 4p Z 4 p
L= 2
1 + (y y + 2) dy =2 2 2
1 + y (y + 2) dy = y 4 + 2y 2 + 1 dy
0 0 0
Step 3: Recognize perfect square
p
y 4 + 2y 2 + 1 = (y 2 + 1)2 ⇒ (y 2 + 1)2 = y 2 + 1
Step 4: Integrate
4 4
y3
Z 
2 64 76
L= (y + 1) dy = +y = +4=
0 3 0 3 3

Example 4 (complex derivative)


Given x = 13 y(y 3 + 1)3/2 , find the arc length from y = 1 to y = 9.
Step 1: Compute derivative and simplify
Step 2: Factor and recognize perfect squares
Step 3: Substitute into formula and integrate
Step 4: Final result
32
L=
3

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