How Do You Calculate the Arc Length of y=sqrt(x^3)?

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SUMMARY

The arc length of the curve defined by the equation y = √(x³) can be calculated using the integral formula for arc length, specifically ∫ √(1 + (y')²) dx. The derivative y' is computed as (3x²)/(2√(x³)), leading to the integral ∫ √(1 + ((3x²)/(2√(x³)))²) dx. This integral simplifies to (1/2)∫ √(4 + 9x) dx, making the calculation more manageable. The discussion confirms the approach and simplification as correct.

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Lanza52
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[SOLVED] Arc Length Problem

[tex]y=\sqrt{x^{3}}[/tex]

So you plug it into the formula for arc length. (integral of the sqrt of 1+y'^2)

And it yields [tex]\int \sqrt{1+(\frac{3x^{2}}{2\sqrt{x^{3}}})^{2}dx[/tex]

From there you would use trig substitution, 1+tan^2theta = sec^2theta. But converting the dx to dtheta is a complete pain. And from what I can tell, it looks like it gets ugly.

So the ugliness makes me think I am wrong. Can anybody check this up to this point?

Thanks.
 
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well

[tex]\int \sqrt{1+(\frac{3x^{2}}{2\sqrt{x^{3}}})^{2}dx[/tex]

can be simplified even more to give

[tex]\frac{1}{2}\int \sqrt{4+9x} dx[/tex]

and from there it should become much easier
 
Solved. Thanks =P
 

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