# Length of Parametric curve

1. May 4, 2009

### joemama69

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Estimate the length of the curve with parametric equations x = t^3, y = t^3, z = t^4, 0<=t<=3. Round to the 3 decimals place.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

virst i found the magnitide.. ||v|| = (4t^2 + 9t^4 + 16t^6)^1/2

i tool the integral from 0 to 3 of ||v||dt and i got 86.628 did i do this correctly

2. May 5, 2009

### Defennder

I didn't get the same expression for ||v|| as you did. Where did 4t^2 and 9t^4 come from?

3. May 5, 2009

### joemama69

well according to my book distance traveled is the integral from a to b of ||v(t)|dt
where ||v|| = sqrt((dx/dt)^2 + (dy/dt)^2 + (dz/dt)^2)

(dx/dt)^2 = (2t)^2 = 4t^2
(dy/dt)^2 = 3t^2)^2 = 9t^4
(dz/dt)^2 = 4t^3)^2 = 16t^6

4. May 5, 2009

### Cyosis

The components x and y are the same, then how can the derivative with respect to the same variable differ? $$x=t^3 \Rightarrow \frac{dt^3}{dt}=?$$?

Did you type out the wrong problem by any chance, should it be x=t^2?

5. May 6, 2009

### joemama69

ya thats a typo sorry

x = t2

6. May 7, 2009

### Defennder

Well, so could you get the answer after that?

7. May 7, 2009

### joemama69

x = t^2, y = t^3, z = t^4, 0<=t<=3. Round to the 3 decimals place.

where ||v|| = sqrt((dx/dt)^2 + (dy/dt)^2 + (dz/dt)^2)

(dx/dt)^2 = (2t)^2 = 4t^2
(dy/dt)^2 = 3t^2)^2 = 9t^4
(dz/dt)^2 = 4t^3)^2 = 16t^6

first i found the magnitide.. ||v|| = (4t^2 + 9t^4 + 16t^6)^1/2

i took the integral from 0 to 3 of ||v||dt and i got 86.628 did i do this correctly

8. May 8, 2009

### Defennder

It would help if you told us how you got that. The closed form expression of the integral looks very messy, and since the question said to "estimate" rather than give an exact answer some form of approximation must be involved.

9. May 8, 2009

### joemama69

according to my book, length of a curve is

Length of C = $$\int\sqrt{(dx/dt)^2 + (dy/dt)^2 + (dz/dt)^2}$$ dt from a to b

x = t^2, y = t^3, z = t^4, 0 <t<3

Length of C = $$\int\sqrt{(2t)^2 + (3t^2)^2 + (4t^3)^2}$$ dt from 0 to 3

Length of C = $$\int\sqrt{(4t)^2 + (9t^4) + (16t^6)}$$ dt from 0 to 3

i pluged it into my calculator and got 86.628

the problem says to round to three decimals. So im not really sure how i am suppose to approximate something that percise. But all the same, is there somethign wrong with what i did

10. May 9, 2009

### Defennder

You mean all you did was enter that definite integral into your calculator and have it work the answer out for you? I'm not sure if that calculator you're using would be allowed in your exams, but right up to the point where you got the definite integral everything seems to be all right.

11. May 9, 2009

### joemama69

ya we are allowed to use them,

but are u saying my calc gave me the wrong answer or just that ur not sure if i should be using it or not

12. May 9, 2009

### Defennder

I'm not saying that your calculator is wrong. It's probably correct if you entered the integrand properly. It's just that doing so may not be what the question had in mind.

13. May 11, 2009

### joemama69

Ya i was thinking maybe that is why it is worded to estimate it.

But i assume that the integral can be intigrated and would give a deffinite answer anyways.

14. May 11, 2009

### Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
Note, first term should be (4t2)