How do you find the length of the curve y^2 = 16(x+1)^3 where x is between [0,3] and y>0?

1 Answer
Feb 24, 2015

The answer is: L=1/54(sqrt145-37sqrt37).

The curve can be written:

y=+-4sqrt((x+1)^3), but we need only the branch with y>0, so:

y=4sqrt((x+1)^3).

To find the lenght of a curve written as a function and in cartesian coordinates we have to remember this formula:

L=int_a^bsqrt(1+[f'(x)]^2)dx.

So, we have first of all calculate the derivative of:

y=4(x+1)^(3/2)rArry'=4*3/2(x+1)^(1/2)=6sqrt(x+1)

L=int_0^3sqrt(1+36(x+1))dx=int_0^3sqrt(36x+37)dx=

=1/36int_0^3 36sqrt(36x+37)dx=1/36[(36x+37)^(1/2+1)/(1/2+1)]_0^3=

=1/36*2/3[sqrt((36x+37)^3)]_0^3=1/54(sqrt145-sqrt(37^3))=1/54(sqrt145-37sqrt37).