Optimizing y(x) for \int_a^b y^2(1+(y')^2) \, dx with given boundary conditions

[jimmycricket]

Homework Statement

Find the extremal for the case
\int_a^b y^2(1+(y')^2) \, dx
where y(a)=y_{0}, y(b)=y_{1}

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Using the Euler-Lagrange equation for a functional that doesn't depend on x I get
F-y'\frac{\partial F}{\partial y'}=c
\Leftrightarrow y^2(1-(y')^2)=c
\Leftrightarrow \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{c}{y^2}}}dy=\int dx
\Leftrightarrow y=\frac{-c}{x^2-1}
Now I have to sub this y(x) into the original integral and I am comfortable doing the integral apart from what to do for the upper and lower limits of integration.

 

[mfb]

There should be another free parameter from the integration.
You can use the limits of the integration to fix those two parameters.

 

[Dick]

That doesn't look like any version of Euler Lagrange I know. I'd try looking it up again. You should get a 2nd order ODE.

 

[jimmycricket]

In this case F does not depend on x so the E-L equation is reduced to
F-y'\frac{\partial F}{\partial y'}=c and you are left with a 1st order ode.