Proof of Parametrized Functions

[H2instinct]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The hint.

The Attempt at a Solution

So using the hint I took the derivative of each of the parametrized functions.

\frac{dx}{d\theta} = -3sin(\theta)*cos^{2}(\theta)*a

\frac{dy}{d\theta} = 3cos(\theta)*sin^{2}(\theta)*a

Then I plugged them into this:

ds = \sqrt{dx^{2}+dy^{2}}d\theta

Giving:

ds = 3*\left|a*sin(\theta)*cos(\theta)\right|d\theta

\intds = \int3*\left|a*sin(\theta)*cos(\theta)\right|d\theta

I know ds is infinitesimally small point on the original graph to measure slope, but I am still confused slightly about integrating both sides. Also assuming the absolute value goes away because sin and sos can only go from -1 to 1, so I took out the abs. value because I am assuming for positive number. Don't know if that's actually possible to do though.

s = \frac{-3*(cos(\theta))^{2}*a}{2}This is where I need some pointing in the right direction.

Have been trying while waiting for some help:
Plugging into the other part of the hint:
ds = \sqrt{1 + \frac{-3sin(\theta)*cos^{2}(\theta)*a}{3cos(\theta)*sin^{2}(\theta)*a}}\left|-3sin(\theta)*cos^{2}(\theta)*a\right|

Gives:
ds = 3*\left|a\right|(cos(\theta))^{2}*d\theta

Tried integrating:
\intds = \int3*\left|a\right|(cos(\theta))^{2}d\theta

Gives:
S = \frac{3*(sin(\theta)*cos(\theta)+\theta)*\left|a\right|}{2}

Still not totally sure where to go with this.

 

[LCKurtz]

Your equation:

ds = 3|a||\cos(\theta)\sin(\theta)| d\theta

looks correct. You can't just ignore the absolute value signs. Since the curve traced when theta goes from 0 to 2pi and is symmetric, you can integrate from 0 to pi/2 and multiply by four. On that domain for theta the sine and cosine are positive and you can drop the absolute value signs. So calculate

4\int_0^{\pi/2} 3|a||\cos(\theta)\sin(\theta)| d\theta

and see if it works.

 

[H2instinct]

Your equation:

ds = 3|a||\cos(\theta)\sin(\theta)| d\theta

looks correct. You can't just ignore the absolute value signs. Since the curve traced when theta goes from 0 to 2pi and is symmetric, you can integrate from 0 to pi/2 and multiply by four. On that domain for theta the sine and cosine are positive and you can drop the absolute value signs. So calculate

4\int_0^{\pi/2} 3|a||\cos(\theta)\sin(\theta)| d\theta

and see if it works.

Yes it did work, thanks for the help, I will remember to change it to the (0 , \frac{\pi}{2}) quadrant when it calls for abs. value.

 

[LCKurtz]

Just remember that you can only use that shortcut when the curve is symmetric so that the total perimeter is 4 times the arc length in the first quadrant.

You might find it instructive to do it the long way so you learn how to handle the absolute values if you have to. Break the integral from 0 to 2pi up into four pieces, one for each quadrant. Then, for example, in the second quadrant where cosine is negative and sine is positive you would use

| cos(t) | = - cos(t)
| sin(t) | = sin(t)

to calculate the absolute values. Similarly for the other quadrants. Try it and see that you get the same answer.

 

[H2instinct]

Ah Ok, I am getting how you got the boundaries then. And right, it obviously wouldn't work for a parametrized function that is only in the 1st and 3rd quadrant, etc.