Arc length of 3D curve from (8,4,0) to (24,36,4log(3))

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
3 replies · 5K views
mknut389
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Consider the path f{r}(t) = (8t, 4t^2, 4log(t) ) defined for t > 0.
Find the length of the curve between the points (8, 4, 0) and (24, 36, 4log(3)).

Homework Equations



[tex]\int[/tex]|r' (t)|dt

The Attempt at a Solution



r(t)=(8t, 4t^2, 4log(t))
r'(t)=(8, 8t, 4/(ln(10)t))
|r' (t)|=[tex]\sqrt{8^2+(8t)^2+(1.737177927/t)^2}[/tex]
|r' (t)|=[tex]\sqrt{64+64t^2+3.01778715219/t^2}[/tex]

At Point (8,4,0) t=1 and at Point (24, 36, 4log(3)) t=3
Therefore the integral is from 1 to 3

from here, the integral of [tex]\int[/tex][tex]\sqrt{64+64t^2+3.01778715219/t^2}[/tex]
is to complex to do by hand, so with MATLAB and TI-89 I am getting an answer of 36.106527, which according to the assignment is wrong. Am I going about this problem wrong? what should I do?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you sure that by log(t) it's not referring to base e logarithm? Some books use log and ln as the same thing. Also, you have a 1/x when you should have a 1/t in the third coordinate
 
I am sure it is log(t) and not ln(t). That would make it a bit easier... Thanks for the variable mistake catch... I fixed it...
 
I get 36.10652942031572. I don't think you are doing anything fundamentally wrong. Why are you sure it's not ln(x)?