Calculating Arc Length of a Circle with Radius 6 and Center (4,1,5)

In summary, the circle on the plane z=5 with a radius of 6 and center (4,1,5) can be parametrized as x=6cos(t)+4, y=6sin(t)+1, for 0<=t<=2pi.
  • #1
Colts
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0

Homework Statement


Find an arc length parametrization of the circle in the plane z=5 with radius 6 and center (4,1,5)


Homework Equations


||r'(t)||=r'(u)
s=integral r'(u)du


The Attempt at a Solution


I get the equation of the circle to be (x-4)^2+(y-1)^2+(z-5)^2=6^2
Not sure where to go from here. Make x=t and then solve for y and z? That seems like to mcuh work for this problem. What am I missing?
 
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  • #2
Colts said:
I get the equation of the circle to be (x-4)^2+(y-1)^2+(z-5)^2=6^2
Not sure where to go from here. Make x=t and then solve for y and z? That seems like to mcuh work for this problem. What am I missing?

That's a spherical surface, not a circle. You know that the circle lies in the[itex]z=5[/itex] plane, so [itex](x-4)^2+(y-1)^2+(5-5)^2=(x-4)^2+(y-1)^2=6^2[/itex] is your circle. Now, remember that a circle in the [itex]xy[/itex]-plane of radius [itex]R[/itex] can be parametrized as [itex]x=R\cos\theta[/itex], [itex]y=R\sin\theta[/itex], for [itex]0\leq \theta \leq 2\pi[/itex]. Try applying that to your circle by shifting [itex]x[/itex] and [itex]y[/itex] by an appropriate amount.
 
  • #3
Got it. Thank you
 

Related to Calculating Arc Length of a Circle with Radius 6 and Center (4,1,5)

What is the formula for finding the arc length of a circle?

The formula for finding the arc length of a circle is Arc Length = (central angle / 360) x 2πr, where r is the radius of the circle and central angle is the angle formed by two radii at the center of the circle.

What is the difference between arc length and circumference of a circle?

Arc length is the distance along the curved edge of a circle, while circumference is the distance around the outside of a circle. Arc length is a fraction of the circumference and is usually a smaller value.

Can the arc length of a circle be greater than the circumference?

No, the arc length of a circle can never be greater than the circumference. The circumference is the outermost boundary of a circle, so the arc length, which is a fraction of the circumference, can never be greater than the whole circumference.

What is the unit of measurement for arc length?

The unit of measurement for arc length depends on the unit of measurement used for the radius of the circle. For example, if the radius is measured in meters, then the arc length will be measured in meters as well.

Can the arc length of a circle be negative?

No, the arc length of a circle cannot be negative. It is always a positive value, as it represents a distance along the circumference of the circle. If a negative value is obtained when calculating the arc length, it is likely due to an error in the calculation.

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