How Do You Calculate the Arc Length of y = ln(x) from x = 1 to x = e?

In summary: Your approximation is also close to the straight line distance, indicating that the integral is likely correct.
  • #1
Dylan6866
5
0

Homework Statement



Use the integration tables to find the exact arc length of the curve
f(x)=ln x 1≤x≤e

Reference the table number formula used

Then approx. your answer and compare that to the approx. "straight line distance" between 2 points

coordinates of two points (1,0) (e,1)

Homework Equations


∫sqrt(1+(f'(x))^2)

distance formula I'm guessing?


The Attempt at a Solution


y = ln(x)
y' = (1/x)

L = ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x)^2) ] dx
L = ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x)^2) ] dx

= ∫(1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x^2)) ] dx
= ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt( (x^2 + 1) / x^2) ) ] dx
=∫ (1 to e) [(1/x)*sqrt(x^2 + 1) ] dx

Integral # 28
∫ [(1/u)sqrt(a^2 + u^2)] du
= sqrt(a^2 + u^2) - a*ln | [a + sqrt(a^2 + u^2)] / u] | + C

In this integral, a = 1 and u = x

Int (1 to e) [(1/x)*sqrt(x^2 + 1) ] dx =
sqrt(1 + x^2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(1 + x^2)] / x] | (1 to e)

=
sqrt(1 + e^2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(1 + e^2)] / e] |
=
sqrt(2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(2)]] |

0.53

straight line =1.98

Is this right?
 
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  • #2
Dylan6866 said:

Homework Statement



Use the integration tables to find the exact arc length of the curve
f(x)=ln x 1≤x≤e

Reference the table number formula used

Then approx. your answer and compare that to the approx. "straight line distance" between 2 points

coordinates of two points (1,0) (e,1)

Homework Equations


∫sqrt(1+(f'(x))^2) dx

distance formula I'm guessing?


The Attempt at a Solution


y = ln(x)
y' = (1/x)

L = ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x)^2) ] dx
L = ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x)^2) ] dx

= ∫(1 to e) [ sqrt(1 + (1/x^2)) ] dx
= ∫ (1 to e) [ sqrt( (x^2 + 1) / x^2) ) ] dx
=∫ (1 to e) [(1/x)*sqrt(x^2 + 1) ] dx

Integral # 28
∫ [(1/u)sqrt(a^2 + u^2)] du
= sqrt(a^2 + u^2) - a*ln | [a + sqrt(a^2 + u^2)] / u] | + C

In this integral, a = 1 and u = x

Int (1 to e) [(1/x)*sqrt(x^2 + 1) ] dx =
sqrt(1 + x^2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(1 + x^2)] / x] | (1 to e)

=
sqrt(1 + e^2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(1 + e^2)] / e] |
=
sqrt(2) - ln | [1 + sqrt(2)]] |

0.53

straight line =1.98

Is this right?
Isn't a straight line the shortest distance between two pints?

You only evaluated the anti-derivative at x = e, not at x = 1.
 
  • #3
SammyS said:
Isn't a straight line the shortest distance between two pints?

You only evaluated the anti-derivative at x = e, not at x = 1.

Yes, so the distance formula would be right?

And I evauluated it again, the answer should be ≈ 2.

But, is the integration correct?
 
  • #4
Dylan6866 said:
Yes, so the distance formula would be right?

And I evaluated it again, the answer should be ≈ 2.

But, is the integration correct?
It is if the integral table is correct. You appear to have used it correctly.
 

Related to How Do You Calculate the Arc Length of y = ln(x) from x = 1 to x = e?

1. What is the formula for calculating the exact arc length of ln x?

The formula for calculating the exact arc length of ln x is given by:
L = ∫√(1 + (ln x)²) dx
Where L represents the arc length and dx is the differential of x.

2. How do you find the exact arc length of ln x using integration?

To find the exact arc length of ln x using integration, we first need to use the formula:
L = ∫√(1 + (ln x)²) dx
Then, we integrate the function √(1 + (ln x)²) with respect to x and evaluate the integral limits to find the exact arc length.

3. Can the exact arc length of ln x be calculated using any other method?

Yes, we can also use the arc length formula for a curve given by:
L = ∫√(1 + (dx/dy)²) dy
Where dx/dy represents the derivative of ln x with respect to y. This method can be used to find the exact arc length of ln x if the function is given in terms of y instead of x.

4. Is there a specific range for which the formula for the exact arc length of ln x is valid?

Yes, the formula for the exact arc length of ln x is valid for all values of x greater than 0. This is because the natural logarithm function is defined only for positive values of x.

5. Can the exact arc length of ln x be approximated without using integration?

Yes, the exact arc length of ln x can be approximated using numerical methods such as Simpson's rule or the Trapezoidal rule. These methods use a series of points to estimate the arc length rather than finding the exact value using integration.

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