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

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding an arc length parametrization of a circle in the plane z=5 with a radius of 6 and center at (4,1,5). The correct equation for the circle is derived as (x-4)² + (y-1)² = 6², which simplifies the problem by recognizing that the circle lies in the z=5 plane. The parametrization of the circle can be expressed as x = 4 + 6cos(θ) and y = 1 + 6sin(θ) for 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π. This approach effectively resolves the initial confusion regarding the spherical surface versus the planar circle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of parametric equations
  • Knowledge of circle equations in Cartesian coordinates
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions
  • Basic calculus concepts, particularly integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study parametric equations of circles in different planes
  • Learn about arc length calculations in calculus
  • Explore the use of trigonometric identities in parametrization
  • Investigate the implications of shifting coordinates in 3D geometry
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on parametric equations and arc length, as well as educators looking for examples of geometric parametrization in three-dimensional space.

Colts
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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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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.
 
Got it. Thank you
 

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