What is the Length Integral Problem at Point (1,1)?

In summary, The conversation is about finding a curve through the point (1,1) with a given length integral. The formula for the length integral is provided and it is connected to differentiation and integration. The formula can be simplified for curves given by an explicit equation. The conversation also mentions finding a first order LODE with separable variables and confirms that the problem was correctly posted in the "Diff.eq." subforum. The final answer to the problem is sqrt(x).
  • #1
ankh
6
0
Hi, could someone help me with this problem.

Find a curve through the point (1,1) whose length integral is
[itex] L = \int_{1}^{4} \sqrt{1+ \frac {1} {4x}} dx [/itex]

Thanks

PS: Is this the right place topost it? I just thought that differentiation is closely connected to integration.
 
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  • #2
The line integral of the first kind giving the length of the curve C is
[tex] L(C)=:\int_{C} dl [/tex](1)

If the curve "C" is given through the explicit equation
[tex] y=y(x) [/tex](2)
,it can be shown that the formula (1) becomes this Riemann integral
[tex] L(C)=\int_{x_{1}}^{x_{2}} \sqrt{1+(\frac{dy(x)}{dx})^{2}} dx [/tex](3)

Make the analogy between (3) and your formula to find a first order LODE with separable varaibles.

So your posting the problem in the "Diff.eq." subforum was correct... :smile:

Daniel.
 
  • #3
More of a calc 2 problem.

The answer is sqrt(x).
 

What is a length integral problem?

A length integral problem is a type of mathematical problem that involves finding the length of a curve or a line. It is often used in calculus and involves calculating the integral of a function that represents the curve or line.

What is the purpose of solving a length integral problem?

The purpose of solving a length integral problem is to find the exact length of a curve or a line, which may be curved or irregular in shape. This can be useful in various real-life applications, such as calculating the distance traveled by a moving object or determining the amount of material needed to construct a curved structure.

What are the steps involved in solving a length integral problem?

The steps involved in solving a length integral problem include:

  • Identifying the function that represents the curve or line
  • Determining the limits of integration, which define the region of the curve or line to be measured
  • Applying the appropriate integration formula to find the indefinite integral of the function
  • Substituting the limits of integration into the indefinite integral and evaluating the resulting expression to find the definite integral
  • Interpreting the result as the length of the curve or line

What are some common applications of length integral problems?

Length integral problems are commonly used in various fields, including physics, engineering, and economics. Some specific applications include:

  • Finding the distance traveled by an object with a changing velocity
  • Determining the amount of material needed to construct a curved road or bridge
  • Calculating the perimeter of a region with a curved boundary
  • Estimating the cost of painting a curved surface

Are there any limitations or challenges when solving a length integral problem?

Yes, there are some limitations and challenges that may arise when solving a length integral problem. These include:

  • The function representing the curve or line may be complex and difficult to integrate
  • The limits of integration may be undefined or difficult to determine
  • The curve or line may have multiple segments or intersect itself, making it challenging to determine the correct limits of integration
  • The result may be an infinite or undefined value, indicating that the curve or line does not have a finite length

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