Calculating Average Distance from Origin to Curve Integral

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To calculate the average distance from the origin to the curve defined by x=cos(2t) and y=3sin(2t) for t in [0, pi], one must derive the distance function from the origin to any point on the curve. The distance is given by the integral of the square root of the sum of the squares of the x and y components, leading to the expression Integral ((cos^2(2t)+6sin^2(2t))^0.5)*dt from 0 to pi. It is crucial to ensure accuracy in the derivatives and algebra when setting up the integral. The average distance can then be computed by dividing the integral result by the interval length, pi. The next step is to finalize the function f(x) for the average calculation.
sibiryk
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How can I find average distance from the origin point x=y=0 to
the points of the curve using curve integral.

Curve given by

x=cos(2t), y=3sin(2t), t at [0,pi]

I looked in books I have but there is no info on this.
 
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sibiryk said:
How can I find average distance from the origin point x=y=0 to
the points of the curve using curve integral.
Curve given by
x=cos(2t), y=3sin(2t), t at [0,pi]
I looked in books I have but there is no info on this.
Find an equation that gives the distance at any value of t. Then integrate it and divide by the interval (def. of average value).
 
I need to find it using curve integral
 
apmcavoy said:
Find an equation that gives the distance at any value of t. Then integrate it and divide by the interval (def. of average value).

Ok. I integrated equation that give the distance.

I got

Integral ((cos^2(2t)+6sin^2(2t))^0.5)*dt integral from 0 to pi

Did I get it right?
 
sibiryk said:
Ok. I integrated equation that give the distance.
I got
Integral ((cos^2(2t)+6sin^2(2t))^0.5)*dt integral from 0 to pi
Did I get it right?

Close. You need to be more careful with your derivatives and algebra.
 
sibiryk said:
Ok. I integrated equation that give the distance.
I got
Integral ((cos^2(2t)+6sin^2(2t))^0.5)*dt integral from 0 to pi
Did I get it right?
3^2\neq 6

For this case:

\text{Average}=\frac{1}{\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}f\left(x\right)\,dx

Now it's up to you to find f(x).
 
Last edited:
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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