# Length of a curve

## Homework Statement

Find the length of the curve:
$x=\frac{t}{1+t}$
$y=\ln(1+t)$
where $0 \leq t \leq 2$
Length of curve integral $\int^a_b \sqrt{(\frac{dx}{dt})^2+(\frac{dy}{dt})^2} dt$

## Homework Equations

$(\frac{dx}{dt})^2 = \frac{1}{(1+t)^4}$ $(\frac{dy}{dt})^2 = \frac{1}{(1+t)^2}$

## The Attempt at a Solution

So, I think somewhere I missed a more efficient technique to use (or made an algebra mistake which is most likely), because otherwise I think this integral gets crazy too fast for a simple problem.

Start with $\int^a_b \sqrt{(\frac{dx}{dt})^2+(\frac{dy}{dt})^2} dt$ to which when we substitute our given problem, we get $\int^2_0 \sqrt{\frac{1}{(1+t)^4}+\frac{1}{(1+t)^2}} dt$ = $\int^2_0 \sqrt{\frac{(1+t)^2+1}{(1+t)^4}} dt$ = $\int^2_0 \frac{1}{(1+t)^2} \sqrt{(1+t)^2+1} dt$

To try to make this simpler, I said well, just let $u = 1+t$ therefore $du=dt$ so our integral looks like
$\int^2_0 \frac{1}{(u)^2} \sqrt{(u)^2+1} du$ which then I believe calls for a trig substitution (let $u=tan\theta$)... but that seems crazy! At this point why wouldn't I just de-parametrize the equation from the start if I wanted a crazy integral.

If anyone has a simpler way to go about this integral, I'd love to know. Otherwise if this seems to be the correct path, I'll just keep chugging along!

Last edited:

Related Calculus and Beyond Homework Help News on Phys.org
Ray Vickson
Homework Helper
Dearly Missed

## Homework Statement

Find the length of the curve:
$x=\frac{t}{1+t}$ $y=\ln(1+t)$ where $0 \leq t \leq 2$
Length of curve integral $\int^a_b \sqrt{(\frac{dx}{dt})^2+(\frac{dy}{dt})^2} dt$

## Homework Equations

$(\frac{dx}{dt})^2 = \frac{1}{(1+t)^4}$ $(\frac{dy}{dt})^2 = \frac{1}{(1+t)^2}$

## The Attempt at a Solution

So, I think somewhere I missed a more efficient technique to use (or made an algebra mistake which is most likely), because otherwise I think this integral gets crazy too fast for a simple problem.

Start with $\int^a_b \sqrt{(\frac{dx}{dt})^2+(\frac{dy}{dt})^2} dt$ to which when we substitute our given problem, we get $\int^2_0 \sqrt{\frac{1}{(1+t)^4}+\frac{1}{(1+t)^2}} dt$ = $\int^2_0 \sqrt{\frac{(1+t)^2+1}{(1+t)^4}} dt$ = $\int^2_0 \frac{1}{(1+t)^2} \sqrt{(1+t)^2+1} dt$

To try to make this simpler, I said well, just let $u = 1+t$ therefore $du=dt$ so our integral looks like
$\int^2_0 \frac{1}{(u)^2} \sqrt{(u)^2+1} du$ which then I believe calls for a trig substitution (let $u=tan\theta$)... but that seems crazy! At this point why wouldn't I just de-parametrize the equation from the start if I wanted a crazy integral.

If anyone has a simpler way to go about this integral, I'd love to know. Otherwise if this seems to be the correct path, I'll just keep chugging along!
What you have done so far looks correct. Yes, the integral is messy, but that's life: some problems just have messy solutions.

Homework Helper
Gold Member
I don't agree with what you got for $\frac{dy}{dt}$. How did you get rid of the $\ln(1+t)$ term that will show up in taking $\frac{dy}{dt}$?

I don't agree with what you got for $\frac{dy}{dt}$. How did you get rid of the $\ln(1+t)$ term that will show up in taking $\frac{dy}{dt}$?
Maybe my logic doesn't apply here, but I say let $1+t=u$ therefore $\ln(1+t)=\ln(u)$ then $\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{\frac{du}{u}}{dt}$ = $\frac{du}{udt}$but since $dt=du$ in this case, our problem just becomes $\frac{1}{u}$ which just equals $\frac{1}{1+t}$

Homework Helper
Gold Member
Maybe my logic doesn't apply here, but I say let $1+t=u$ therefore $\ln(1+t)=\ln(u)$ then $\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{\frac{du}{u}}{dt}$ = $\frac{du}{udt}$but since $dt=du$ in this case, our problem just becomes $\frac{1}{u}$ which just equals $\frac{1}{1+t}$
I see my problem: You have no space between $x=\frac{t}{t+1}$ and $\\$ $y=\ln(1+t)$,$\\$ and I took it to mean $x=(\frac{t}{t+1})y$

I see my problem: You have no space between $x=\frac{t}{t+1}$ and $\\$ $y=\ln(1+t)$,$\\$ and I took it to mean $x=(\frac{t}{t+1})y$
I'll edit my post to make it more clear

Homework Helper
Gold Member
I think I have a solution: Try $u=\sinh(x)$. If my algbra/calculus is correct, you get $\int \coth^2(x) \, dx$. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_integrals_of_hyperbolic_functions for the integral. $\\$ And in a more clear form, I found it in an old CRC handbook: $\int \coth^2(x ) \, dx=x-\coth(x)$. $\\$ And presuming this is correct, it gets a little messy working backwards to $u$, etc., but it is workable.

Last edited:
Ray Vickson
Homework Helper
Dearly Missed
Maybe my logic doesn't apply here, but I say let $1+t=u$ therefore $\ln(1+t)=\ln(u)$ then $\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{\frac{du}{u}}{dt}$ = $\frac{du}{udt}$but since $dt=du$ in this case, our problem just becomes $\frac{1}{u}$ which just equals $\frac{1}{1+t}$
I did not examine all your steps in detail; I just used Maple to do the computations, and arrived at the same final expression for $ds$ that you gave.

Ray Vickson
Homework Helper
Dearly Missed
I think I have a solution: Try $u=\sinh(x)$. If my algbra/calculus is correct, you get $\int \coth^2(x) \, dx$. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_integrals_of_hyperbolic_functions for the integral. $\\$ And in a more clear form, I found it in an old CRC handbook: $\int \coth^2(x ) \, dx=x-\coth(x)$. $\\$ And presuming this is correct, it gets a little messy working backwards to $u$, etc., but it is workable.
I think PF prefers that we leave the solution for the OP to find, and only jump in with hints as needed. It sounds as though she did not need more help, just more encouragement to carry on despite the complexities.

I tried the $u=\tan(\theta)$ also, which seemed to be a good choice. It led to what appeared to be something that would be very difficult to integrate. $\\$ And my apologies for perhaps supplying too much to the solution. This one I found very challenging myself=I was just happy that I found something that might work...