How to find the maximum arc length of this equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding the maximum arc length of the equation involving tetration, specifically the relationship ##{^{\infty}x}+{^{\infty}y}={^{\infty}r}##. Participants explore the graphical representation and mathematical formulation of this relationship, including the use of the Lambert W function and arc length calculations in both Cartesian and polar coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their approach to graphing the equation using the Lambert W function and expresses challenges with the performance of Desmos when attempting to visualize the relationship.
  • The same participant seeks assistance in determining how to express ##y## in terms of ##x## from the equation to facilitate arc length calculations.
  • Another participant suggests an alternative method of rectifying the curve and summing polygon lengths as a means to approximate the arc length.
  • Several participants question the notation ##^{\infty}x##, with one clarifying that it refers to tetration, equating it to an infinitely tall power tower.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on how to approach the problem of finding the maximum arc length, as participants propose different methods and express confusion over the notation used.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the rearrangement of the equation for arc length calculations and the implications of using tetration in the context of the problem.

Saracen Rue
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TL;DR
How do you find the maximum arc length of ##{^{\infty}x}+{^{\infty}y}={^{\infty}r}## and the value of ##r## at which it occurs?
After seeing a discussion about graphs of the relationship ##x^x + y^y = r^r##, it got me interested in attempting to see what the graphical appearance of ##{^{\infty}x}+{^{\infty}y}={^{\infty}r}## would look like. The first step I did was use the relationship of ##{^{\infty}n}=-\frac{W(-\ln(n))}{\ln(n)}## to give me the equation of:
$$-\frac{W(-\ln(x))}{\ln(x)} -\frac{W(-\ln(y))}{\ln(y)} = -\frac{W(-\ln(r))}{\ln(r)} $$

Where the range of possible real values for ##r## is ##e^{−e} < r < e^{1/e}##.
Using this I attempted to define the Lambert W function inside of Desmos using
$$\text{}$$
$$W\left(x\right)=-\frac{2}{\pi}\int_{0}^{\pi}\frac{\sin\left(\frac{t}{2}\right)\left(\sin\left(\frac{3t}{2}\right)+e^{\cos\left(t\right)}x\sin\left(\frac{5t}{2}-\sin\left(t\right)\right)\right)}{1+e^{2\cos\left(t\right)}x^{2}+2e^{\cos\left(t\right)}x\cos\left(t-\sin\left(t\right)\right)}dt\left\{-\frac{1}{e}<x<e\right\}$$
$$\text{}$$

and from there try to graph ##-\frac{W(-\ln(x))}{\ln(x)} -\frac{W(-\ln(y))}{\ln(y)} = -\frac{W(-\ln(r))}{\ln(r)} ##, in the hopes of being able to get a rough idea of what value of ##r## gives the greatest arc length. However, Desmos was extremely laggy and any change in the value of ##r## would take over a minute to be reflected by the graph.

This would take far too long to reasonably do so instead I decided to try to find a way to define a new function as being the arc length of the equation ##-\frac{W(-\ln(x))}{\ln(x)} -\frac{W(-\ln(y))}{\ln(y)} = -\frac{W(-\ln(r))}{\ln(r)} ##, get the derivative of said new function and solve for when the derivative equals zero to get the value of ##r## that produces the maximum arc length.

However, at this point I encountered another problem. The only way I know how to calculate the length of a curve is by using the formula ##\int_a^b \sqrt{1+(\frac{dy}{dx})^2} dx## for Cartesian coordinates and ##\int_{\theta_1}^{\theta_2} \sqrt{r^2+(\frac{dr}{d\theta})^2} d\theta## for polar coordinates, but the prior isn't useful without rearranging for ##y## to be the subject and the latter isn't useful as I'm unsure of how to rearrange into the form ##r=f(\theta)## after converting this particular equation to polar coordinates.

So, to summarize, I would very much appreciate if someone could help by telling me if there's a way to make ##y## the subject in ##-\frac{W(-\ln(x))}{\ln(x)} -\frac{W(-\ln(y))}{\ln(y)} = -\frac{W(-\ln(r))}{\ln(r)} ## or if there's an alternate method I could use to evaluate the arc length of this curve.
 
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Whatever your notation means, the only alternative I see is to rectify the curve and sum up the polygon lengths.
 
Saracen Rue said:
Summary:: How do you find the maximum arc length of ##{^{\infty}x}+{^{\infty}y}={^{\infty}r}## and the value of ##r## at which it occurs?
What is the notation ##^{\infty}x## supposed to mean? Keep in mind that ##\infty## can't be used in arithmetic or algebraic expressions.
 
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Mark44 said:
What is the notation ##^{\infty}x## supposed to mean? Keep in mind that ##\infty## can't be used in arithmetic or algebraic expressions.
The notation being used is Tetration; another way of expressing Kunths double up arrow notation: ##{ ^{\infty}n}=n \uparrow \uparrow \infty =## x^x^x^{.}^{.}^{.} (An infinitely tall power tower).

You can read more about tetration here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetration

And you can read more about power towers here: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PowerTower.html
 

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