Arc Length C: Origin to (6,18,36)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the exact arc length of the curve of intersection between a parabolic cylinder and a surface, specifically from the origin to the point (6,18,36). The context includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to parametrization and integration.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses urgency in needing help with the problem, indicating they have been struggling with it.
  • Another participant suggests parametrizing the curve as a potential approach to solve the problem.
  • A participant shares their progress and attempts at solving the problem, including a specific parametrization of the curve.
  • A proposed parametrization is given as: $$\begin{cases}x(t)=t \\[3pt] y(t)=\dfrac{t^2}{2} \\[3pt] z(t)=\dfrac{t^3}{6} \\ \end{cases}$$ with the integration limits from 0 to 6.
  • Further calculations are presented, leading to an expression for the arc length, which is simplified and evaluated to yield a numerical result of 42.
  • One participant expresses gratitude and indicates they will revisit the problem after reviewing earlier material, suggesting the solution provided helped clarify their understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion primarily reflects a collaborative effort to solve a specific homework problem, with no explicit disagreements noted. However, the initial participant's uncertainty about their understanding contrasts with the later confidence shown in the proposed solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address potential limitations or assumptions in the parametrization or integration process, nor does it clarify any unresolved mathematical steps that may exist in the problem-solving approach.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals studying calculus, particularly those interested in arc length calculations and parametrization of curves in three-dimensional space.

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let C be the curve of intersection of the parabolic cylinder $x^2=2y$ and the surface $3z=xy$. find the exact length of C from the origin to the point (6,18,36).

please help! this is the last question i have left from this assignment and i have no idea how to do it. i have grading to do and a ton of studying left for my test on monday. i need help now!
 
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What if you parametrize the curve...can you attempt this?
 
ok so i may have exaggerated a bit when i said i have no idea how to do it (Blush)
here's what i did so far. I've been stuck on this for days and i have a feeling i messed up somewhere.
View attachment 3204View attachment 3205

on the second pic that says $\left| r(t) \right|$ on the top right side
 

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I would try the parametrization:

$$\begin{cases}x(t)=t \\[3pt] y(t)=\dfrac{t^2}{2} \\[3pt] z(t)=\dfrac{t^3}{6} \\ \end{cases}$$

where:

$$0\le t\le6$$

And thus, the arc length $s$ is given by:

$$s=\int_0^6\sqrt{\left(x'(t)\right)^2+\left(y'(t)\right)^2+\left(z'(t)\right)^2}\,dt$$
 
I'm going to go ahead and finish this problem...so under the radical in the integrand, we will have:

$$(1)^2+(t)^2+\left(\frac{t^2}{2}\right)^2=\frac{t^4}{4}+t^2+1=\left(\frac{t^2}{2}+1\right)^2$$

Since the quadratic within the parentheses is always positive, our arc-length then becomes:

$$s=\int_0^6\frac{t^2}{2}+1\,dt=\left[\frac{t^3}{6}+t\right]_0^6=6^2+6=6(6+1)=6\cdot7=42$$
 
thanks :) i went back to the start of the chapter to start reviewing so i just decided that i would do that problem again once i got to that lesson. thanks for working the whole thing out though. it makes a lot more sense to me that way.
 

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