Solving Logarithmic Spirals for Length from Origin to Point X

  • Thread starter Thread starter eXmag
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Logarithmic
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 3K views
eXmag
Messages
36
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



This is a logarithmic spiral. How can I find the length of the spiral (curve) from the origin to point X on the curve? The distance between the origin and the point is given (we can call that the radius) and the distance between the origin and point A is given which this is the same between points A and B and C. Point X is on the spiral with an indicated arrow pointing towards it. The location, therefore, the angle between the origin and this point is unknown. However the distance is known. How can I find the total length of the spiral from the origin to point X?

Mod note: The text above is from the oversized image originally posted. A cropped version of the image is below.[/color]

attachment.php?attachmentid=57047&stc=1&d=1364122742.jpg


Homework Equations



1. ##r=ae^{b\theta}##
2. ##L=r\theta##


The Attempt at a Solution



Do I need to solve for theta then use L=r(theta) to find the total length?
I'm having troubles finding the terms for the first equation.
 

Attachments

  • 2uzdzs8.jpg
    2uzdzs8.jpg
    23.7 KB · Views: 651
Last edited by a moderator:
on Phys.org
Do I need to solve for theta then use L=r(theta) to find the total length?
That is a good idea.
Im having troubles finding the terms for the first equation.
You know that A and B satisfy the equation for the spiral. This allows to determine a and b.
 
Are you referring to the points A and B? So my values at point A and B correspond to the a and b terms in the equation?
 
eXmag said:
Are you referring to the points A and B?
Sure
So my values at point A and B correspond to the a and b terms in the equation?
No. The names are a bit misleading in that respect.