# Arc length problem.

1. Feb 16, 2009

### negatifzeo

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Find the arclength of the function $$y=x^2$$ when x is between 0 and 10.

2. Relevant equations
Arclength here is $$\int_{0}^{10} \sqrt{1+(2x)^2} dx$$
(It's intended to be the integral from 0 to 10 of the quare root of 1+(2x)^2. My latex skills suck.)

3. The attempt at a solution
Trig substitution. 2x= tan (theta)

Integrate secant theta
Which is ln(sec(theta)+tan(theta))

Substituting theta back in for arcsin(2x)
ln(sec(arctan(2x))+tan(arctan(2x))) evaluated from 10 to 0. Solving for arctan(2x) my final answer is
ln(sqrt(1+4x^2)+2x) evaluated from 0 to 10. I know this is wrong as it is much to short of an arc length but I don't know where I went wrong. Any clues?

3. The attempt at a solution

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2009
2. Feb 16, 2009

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
I've edited your post to fix your TeX.

That's fine.

That's not fine. Why would you integrate $\sec (\theta )$?

3. Feb 16, 2009

### negatifzeo

Well, when I use trig substitution here I change 2x to tan(theta). This changes the integrand to sqrt(1+tan^2(theta)). The trig identity says that 1 + tangent squared equals secant squared, and since it is the quare root of that it just becomes secant.

4. Feb 16, 2009

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
But you've forgotten about the $dx$.

5. Feb 16, 2009

### negatifzeo

Oh, duh. Wait, why am I having a hard time remembering how to get the dx here? Does dx here equal 1/2*sec^2(theta) d(theta)?

6. Feb 16, 2009

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
Yes, that's right.