How to calculate the arc length of a function using integration by parts?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the arc length of a curve defined by the function \( f'(x) = \frac{x}{36} - \frac{9}{x} \) using the integral formula \( \int_a^b \sqrt{1 + [f'(x)]^2} \). Participants explore rewriting the integral as \( \int_9^{9e} \sqrt{1 + \frac{(x^2 - 324)^2}{1296x^2}} \) and discuss the application of integration by parts. The conversation also touches on integrating absolute values and the importance of including differentials in integral notation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of arc length calculation using integrals
  • Familiarity with derivatives and the function \( f'(x) \)
  • Knowledge of integration techniques, including integration by parts
  • Basic understanding of absolute value in integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of integration by parts in arc length calculations
  • Learn how to integrate functions involving absolute values
  • Explore the properties of the function \( f'(x) = \frac{x}{36} - \frac{9}{x} \)
  • Review the derivation and application of the arc length formula in calculus
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Students and educators in calculus, mathematicians focusing on integration techniques, and anyone interested in understanding arc length calculations in mathematical analysis.

Petrus
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Calculate the length of the curve
1a53fc38d3d0ea39b31947e4b9dc841.png

We got the formula $$\int_a^b\sqrt{1+[f'(x)]^2}$$
and $$f'(x)=\frac{x}{36}-\frac{9}{x} <=> \frac{x^2-324}{36x}$$
so now we got $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+(\frac{x^2-324}{36x})^2}$$
we can rewrite that as $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+\frac{(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$
then do integration by part on it well I simply rewrite the function more too $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{\frac{1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$ and set $$u=1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2$$ so we got $$dv=1296x^{-2}$$ so our $$du=2592x+2x^2-648+x$$ and $$v=\frac{1296x^{-3}}{-3}$$Is this correct?
 
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Petrus said:
Calculate the length of the curve
1a53fc38d3d0ea39b31947e4b9dc841.png

We got the formula $$\int_a^b\sqrt{1+[f'(x)]^2}$$
and $$f'(x)=\frac{x}{36}-\frac{9}{x} <=> \frac{x^2-324}{36x}$$
so now we got $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+(\frac{x^2-324}{36x})^2}$$
we can rewrite that as $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+\frac{(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$
then do integration by part on it well I simply rewrite the function more too $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{\frac{1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$ and set $$u=1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2$$ so we got $$dv=1296x^{-2}$$ so our $$du=2592x+2x^2-648+x$$ and $$v=\frac{1296x^{-3}}{-3}$$Is this correct?

I would do these calculations a little bit different:

$$\sqrt{1+\left(\frac x{36} - \frac9x \right)^2} = $$
$$ \sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{36^2} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{81}{x^2} }= $$
$$\sqrt{\left(\frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right)^2} = \left| \frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right|$$
 
earboth said:
I would do these calculations a little bit different:

$$\sqrt{1+\left(\frac x{36} - \frac9x \right)^2} = $$
$$ \sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{36^2} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{81}{x^2} }= $$
$$\sqrt{\left(\frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right)^2} = \left| \frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right|$$
ehmm... Cant I do it my way?
edit: I have never done integrate with absolute value, how does that work?
 
Last edited:
Petrus said:
ehmm... Cant I do it my way?
edit: I have never done integrate with absolute value, how does that work?
With the given domain your integral becomes:

$$\int_9^{9e}\left(\frac x{36} + \frac9x \right) dx$$
 
earboth said:
I would do these calculations a little bit different:

$$\sqrt{1+\left(\frac x{36} - \frac9x \right)^2} = $$
$$ \sqrt{1+\frac{x^2}{36^2} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{81}{x^2} }= $$
$$\sqrt{\left(\frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right)^2} = \left| \frac {x}{36} + \frac{9}{x} \right|$$
How do you cancel out 1? should it not be $$-\frac{1}{4}$$ insted of $$-\frac{1}{2}$$. I don't understand this part with integrate with absolute value can just cancel out?
 
Petrus said:
How do you cancel out 1? should it not be $$-\frac{1}{4}$$ insted of $$-\frac{1}{2}$$. I don't understand this part with integrate with absolute value can just cancel out?

$$\left(\frac x{36} - \frac9x \right)^2 = \frac{x^2}{36^2} - \underbrace{2\cdot \frac x{36} \cdot \frac9x}_{\frac12} + \frac{9^2}{x^2}$$

... and $$1-\frac12 = +\frac12$$
 
Petrus said:
Calculate the length of the curve
1a53fc38d3d0ea39b31947e4b9dc841.png

We got the formula $$\int_a^b\sqrt{1+[f'(x)]^2}$$
and $$f'(x)=\frac{x}{36}-\frac{9}{x} <=> \frac{x^2-324}{36x}$$
so now we got $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+(\frac{x^2-324}{36x})^2}$$
we can rewrite that as $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{1+\frac{(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$
then do integration by part on it well I simply rewrite the function more too $$\int_9^{9e}\sqrt{\frac{1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2}{1296x^2}}$$ and set $$u=1298x^2+(x^2-324)^2$$ so we got $$dv=1296x^{-2}$$ so our $$du=2592x+2x^2-648+x$$ and $$v=\frac{1296x^{-3}}{-3}$$Is this correct?

Petrus, just a minor quibble...when you write integrals, you should include the differential at the end that indicates with respect to what variable you are integrating. (Happy)
 
Hello,
I am still confused... Cant I just integrate with just subsitute?
 
I would just integrate term by term:

$$s=\frac{1}{36}\int_9^{9e}x\,dx+9\int_9^{9e}\frac{1}{x}\,dx$$
 
  • #10
Thanks for the help MarkFL and earboth!:)
 

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