How do I calculate the arc length of a polar curve?

[azatkgz]

It's easy question,but I don't know whether I solved it correctly.

Homework Statement

Calculate the length of the curve given by
$$r=a\sin^3 \frac{\theta}{3}$$
in polar coordinates. Here, a > 0 is some number.

Homework Equations

$$l=\int \sqrt{r^2(\theta)+(\frac{dr}{d\theta})^2}d\theta$$

The Attempt at a Solution

$$l=\int \sqrt{a^2 \sin^6\frac{\theta}{3}+a^2\sin^4\frac{\theta}{3}\cos^2\frac{\theta}{3}}\theta$$

$$l=a\int \sin^2\frac{\theta}{3}d\theta$$
for $$0<\frac{2\theta}{3}<2\pi$$

$$l=\frac{a}{2}\int_{0}^{3\pi}(1-\cos\frac{2\theta}{3})d\theta$$

$$l=\frac{3\pi}{2}$$

 

[foxjwill]

It's all correct except for the very last line. You forgot to include $$a$$. Your answer should be:

$$s = \frac{3a\pi}{2}$$p.s. Use $$s$$ for arclength--it's more widely used and recognized. Also, you can include limits of integration like this: \int^b_a Always put the ^ first, though. Otherwise it doesn't work right.

 

[HallsofIvy]

It's all correct except for the very last line. You forgot to include $$a$$. Your answer should be:

$$s = \frac{3a\pi}{2}$$


p.s. Use $$s$$ for arclength--it's more widely used and recognized. Also, you can include limits of integration like this: \int^b_a Always put the ^ first, though. Otherwise it doesn't work right.

It doesn't? What the difference between
$$\int_0^1 f(x)dx$$
and
$$\int^1_0 f(x)dx$$

 

[foxjwill]

It doesn't? What the difference between
$$\int_0^1 f(x)dx$$
and
$$\int^1_0 f(x)dx$$

hmm. That's odd. I guess it just didn't work right when I tried it. Ah, well. Not a very scientific conclusion, eh?

 

[azatkgz]

Thanks a lot!

 

[HallsofIvy]

hmm. That's odd. I guess it just didn't work right when I tried it. Ah, well. Not a very scientific conclusion, eh?

That's alright. There are millions of thing that work for everyone except me!