How do you find the length of the curve for #y=x^(3/2) # for (0,6)?

2 Answers
Mar 10, 2018

See below.

Explanation:

We need #int_a^b sqrt(1+(dy/dx)^2) dx#.

#int_0^6 sqrt(1+(9x)/4) dx = 4/9 int_0^6 sqrt(1+(9x)/4) 9/4dx #

# = 4/9 [2/3(1+(9x)/4)^(3/2)]_0^6#

# = 8/27[(4+9x)^(3/2)/8]_0^6#

# = 1/27(58sqrt58 - 8)#

Mar 10, 2018

16.064 (to 3 places of decimals)

Explanation:

Denoting some short segment of the curve by #ds#, and abusing terminology a little, note that it is possible to approximate #ds# using the Pythagorean relationship

#ds^2 = dx^2 + dy^2#

Extracting #dx^2# as a factor from the right hand side

#ds^2 = (1 + dy^2/dx^2) dx^2#

Taking square roots of both sides

#ds = sqrt((1 + dy^2/dx^2)) dx#

from which

#s = int sqrt((1 + (dy/dx)^2)) dx#

Now noting

#y = x^(3/2)#

implies

#dy/dx = 3/2 x^(1/2)#

so

#s = int sqrt((1 + (3/2 x^(1/2))^2)) dx#

that is

#s = int (sqrt(1 + 9/4 x)) dx#

so the required solution is

#int_0^6 (sqrt(1 + 9/4 x)) dx#

#= 1/2 int_0^6 (sqrt(4 + 9x)) dx# (after rearrangement)

Gritting teeth and going for integration by substitution with

#u = 4+9x#

so that

# (du)/dx= 9#

from which

#1/9 int du = int dx#

and noting required limits under the substitution

#u(0) = 4 and u(6) = 58#

so

#s = (1/2)(1/9) int_4^58 (sqrt(u)) du#

that is

#s = (1/2)(1/9)(2/3) [u^(3/2)]_4^58#

#= (1/27)(58^(3/2) - 4^(3/2))#

#= 16.064# (3 places of decimals)