Length of Curve Between Points: Exploring r(t)

In summary: Instead, you wrote the indefinite integral, but then tried to evaluate it at the endpoints, which is not what you want.
  • #1
Turbodog66
13
0

Homework Statement



Consider the path r(t) = <10t,5t2,5ln(t) defined for t >0. Find the length of the curve between (10,5,0) and (20,20,5ln(2))

Homework Equations



L= ∫ab |r'(t)|dt

The Attempt at a Solution


r'(t) = <10, 10t, 5/t>

t values are 1 and 2 based on the x values for the points listed

√(102 + (10t)2 + (5/t)2)
√(100 + 100t2 + 25/t2)
√(25) ⋅ √(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)
5√(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)This is where I am getting stuck. Is there an additional step that is missing?
 
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  • #2
Turbodog66 said:

Homework Statement



Consider the path r(t) = <10t,5t2,5ln(t) defined for t >0. Find the length of the curve between (10,5,0) and (20,20,5ln(2))

Homework Equations



L= ∫ab |r'(t)|dt

The Attempt at a Solution


r'(t) = <10, 10t, 5/t>

t values are 1 and 2 based on the x values for the points listed

√(102 + (10t)2 + (5/t)2)
√(100 + 100t2 + 25/t2)
√(25) ⋅ √(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)
5√(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)This is where I am getting stuck. Is there an additional step that is missing?
Yes. You need to figure out the initial ##t_1## final value ##t_2## of ##t##, then do the integral
$$\text{Length} = \int_{t_1}^{t_2} 5 \sqrt{ \displaystyle 4 + 4 t^2 + \frac{1}{t^2}} \, dt $$
 
  • #3
Turbodog66 said:

Homework Statement



Consider the path r(t) = <10t,5t2,5ln(t) defined for t >0. Find the length of the curve between (10,5,0) and (20,20,5ln(2))

Homework Equations



L= ∫ab |r'(t)|dt

The Attempt at a Solution


r'(t) = <10, 10t, 5/t>

t values are 1 and 2 based on the x values for the points listed

√(102 + (10t)2 + (5/t)2)
√(100 + 100t2 + 25/t2)
√(25) ⋅ √(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)
5√(4 + 4t2 + 1/t2)This is where I am getting stuck. Is there an additional step that is missing?

Hint: If you re-arrange the expression under the square root, you may recognize it as a perfect square.
 
  • #4
Ray Vickson said:
Yes. You need to figure out the initial ##t_1## final value ##t_2## of ##t##, then do the integral
$$\text{Length} = \int_{t_1}^{t_2} 5 \sqrt{ \displaystyle 4 + 4 t^2 + \frac{1}{t^2}} \, dt $$

Based on the two points listed, I found that t1 = 1 and t2=2. So next I would then substitute in the t values and solve? I attempted that previously, but I did not get the correct answer.

$$\text{Length} = \int_{1}^{2} 5 \sqrt{ \displaystyle 4 + 4 (2^2 -1^2) + \frac{1}{2^2-1^2}} \, dt $$
 
  • #5
Turbodog66 said:
Based on the two points listed, I found that t1 = 1 and t2=2. So next I would then substitute in the t values and solve? I attempted that previously, but I did not get the correct answer.

$$\text{Length} = \int_{1}^{2} 5 \sqrt{ \displaystyle 4 + 4 (2^2 -1^2) + \frac{1}{2^2-1^2}} \, dt $$

If ##f(t) = 5 \sqrt{4 + 4t^2 + 1/t^2}##, then ##\int_{t_1}^{t_2} f(t) \, dt = F(t_2) - F(t_1)##, where ##F(t) = \int f(t) \, dt## is the indefinite integral of ##f(t)##. This is not anything like what you wrote!
 

FAQ: Length of Curve Between Points: Exploring r(t)

1. What is the formula for calculating the length of a curve between two points?

The formula for calculating the length of a curve between two points is given by the arc length formula: L = ∫ab √(1 + [f'(x)]2) dx, where a and b are the starting and ending points of the curve and f(x) is the function representing the curve.

2. How is the arc length formula derived?

The arc length formula is derived using the Pythagorean theorem and the concept of infinitesimal intervals. By dividing the curve into small intervals and approximating each interval with a straight line, we can use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the length of each interval. By taking the limit of these intervals as they tend to zero, we can derive the arc length formula.

3. Can the arc length formula be applied to any curve?

Yes, the arc length formula can be applied to any curve as long as it can be represented by a continuous function. This includes curves that are not necessarily smooth, such as piecewise functions.

4. How does the parameterization of a curve affect the calculation of its length?

The parameterization of a curve can affect the calculation of its length because it determines the direction in which the curve is traversed. A change in the parameterization may result in a different length being calculated for the same curve.

5. Can the arc length formula be extended to higher dimensions?

Yes, the arc length formula can be extended to higher dimensions, such as curves in three-dimensional space. The formula becomes L = ∫ab √(1 + [f'(t)]2 + [g'(t)]2) dt, where f(t) and g(t) represent the parametric equations for the curve in the x and y directions, respectively.

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