Finding n for Arc Length of $\pi+e$ over Interval 0 to 6

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the value of \( n \) for the arc length of the function \( y = x^n \) over the interval from 0 to 6, such that the arc length equals \( \pi + e \). Participants explore the integral involved and the methods for solving it, including numerical approximations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integral \( \int^{6}_{0} \sqrt{1-n^2x^2}dx = \pi + e \) and expresses uncertainty about how to solve for \( n \).
  • Another participant notes that the integral is well-known and suggests that while evaluating it is straightforward, solving for \( n \) analytically may not be feasible.
  • A later reply discusses the possibility of obtaining a numerical approximation and mentions using Mathematica to evaluate the integral, providing the resulting expression involving \( n \).
  • One participant claims to have found an approximate value for \( n \) as \( \frac{1000}{16201} \) but notes the lack of an elegant solution.
  • Another participant refines this approximation to \( n \approx \frac{10000000}{162011025} \).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to evaluating the integral but disagree on the feasibility of solving for \( n \) analytically. Multiple approximations for \( n \) are presented without consensus on a definitive solution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the validity of the arc length formula and the conditions under which the integral is evaluated, but these assumptions are not fully explored or resolved.

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[tex]\int^{6}_{0} \sqrt{1-n^2x^2}dx=\pi+e[/tex]


I need to solve this for n. I believe there should only be one possible function of the form [tex]y=x^n[/tex] that gives an arclength of [tex]\pi+e[/tex] over the interval x=0 to x=6, and wish to find the value of n that such a function must have.
Does anyone know how to do this? I haven't the slightest idea, as I only know as much calculus as I've managed to teach myself over the past few months... Thank you!


Ah, additionally, I'm assuming (as I, regrettably, read somewhere) that

[tex]\int^{b}_{a} \sqrt{1-[f'(x)]^2}dx[/tex]

is equal to arclength (actually, I didn't just accept it completely--I lack the mathematics to evaluate whether or not it actually is such a formula, but my TI-89 is capable of calculating for whatever values I plug in so... They have thus far matched up perfectly with the values produced by the method I came up with myself:)

[tex]\lim_{x \rightarrow 0}\sum^{\frac{m}{x}-1}_{n=0}\sqrt{x^2+(f(x(n+1))-f(nx))^2}[/tex]

Anyway, again, thank you.
 
Last edited:
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Well the integral is well-known, you'll get an arcsin and square root part so evaluating the integral isn't really a problem. I doubt though that you'll be able to solve for n analytically, after that - unless a numerical approximation would satisfy you.
 
Thank you, TD... Mm... Why not, and how would you get a numerical approximation?
 
The easy way, of course, would be relying on a computer program. I tried it with Mathematica.

Integration yields

[tex]\int\limits_0^6 {\sqrt {1 - n^2 x^2 } dx} = 3\sqrt {1 - 36n^2 } + \frac{{\arcsin \left( {6n} \right)}}<br /> {{2n}}[/tex]

So what you want to solve for n is

[tex]3\sqrt {1 - 36n^2 } + \frac{{\arcsin \left( {6n} \right)}}<br /> {{2n}} = e + \pi[/tex]
 
Last edited:
This is an interesting problem. I found that n is approx. 1000/16201, but I haven't found an elegant solution for n.
 
I refined my solution to:

[tex]n \approx {10000000 \over 162011025}[/tex]
 

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