# Trapezoidal rule to estimate arc length error

#### Zack K

Problem Statement
State the integral (do NOT evaluate) to compute the arc length between x = 1 and x = 5 for the function $y=\frac{1}{x^2}$ (already done)

How many intervals are required to numerically compute the integral in to an accuracy of $10^{-3}$ using the trapezoidal rule?
Relevant Equations
$L=\int_a^b \sqrt{1+(\frac{dy}{dx})^2}dx$

$E_T\leq\frac{(b-a)^3}{12n^2}[max |f^{(2)}(x)|]$
I got the first part of it down, $$L=\int_1^5 \sqrt{1+(\frac{1}{x^2})}dx$$

I just want to know if it's right to make your $f(x)=\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^2}}$ then compute it's second derivative and find it's max value, for the trapezoidal error formula.

Related Calculus and Beyond Homework News on Phys.org

#### Mark44

Mentor
I got the first part of it down, $$L=\int_1^5 \sqrt{1+(\frac{1}{x^4})}dx$$
Your integrand isn't right. What is $\frac d{dx}\frac 1 {x^2}$? In your integrand above, it looks like you just squared $\frac 1 {x^2}$, and forgot to find its derivative.
Zack K said:
I just want to know if it's right to make your $f(x)=\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{x^4}}$ then compute it's second derivative and find it's max value, for the trapezoidal error formula.

#### Zack K

Your integrand isn't right. What is $\frac d{dx}\frac 1 {x^2}$? In your integrand above, it looks like you just squared $\frac 1 {x^2}$, and forgot to find its derivative.
Yes sorry I realized that then fixed it.

#### Mark44

Mentor
Yes sorry I realized that then fixed it.
It's still wrong. You need to find the derivative of 1/x^2, square it, and add 1. That will go inside the radical for your arc length integrand.

#### Zack K

It's still wrong. You need to find the derivative of 1/x^2, square it, and add 1. That will go inside the radical for your arc length integrand.
Sigh... now I was thinking of integration.

It should be $\sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^6}}=\sqrt{\frac{x^6+4}{x^6}}$

#### Mark44

Mentor
It should be $\sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^6}}=\sqrt{\frac{x^6+4}{x^6}}$
That's more like it.

Zack K said:
$E_T\leq\frac{(b-a)^3}{12n^2}[max |f^{(2)}(x)|]$
After you get the integral squared away, there are some tricks you can use to find the max of |f2(x)|. If the function (f2(x)) is increasing on an interval [a, b], its largest value will be at x = b. If the function is decreasing, it's largest value will be at the left endpoint of the interval, x = a.

#### Zack K

That's more like it.

After you get the integral squared away, there are some tricks you can use to find the max of |f2(x)|. If the function (f2(x)) is increasing on an interval [a, b], its largest value will be at x = b. If the function is decreasing, it's largest value will be at the left endpoint of the interval, x = a.
Wow that actually makes so much sense. My biggest issue is once I got the second derivative, I got this large function which seemed annoying to evaluate with x=5 (given that this question could be on an exam). Thank you.

"Trapezoidal rule to estimate arc length error"

### Physics Forums Values

We Value Quality
• Topics based on mainstream science
• Proper English grammar and spelling
We Value Civility
• Positive and compassionate attitudes
• Patience while debating
We Value Productivity
• Disciplined to remain on-topic
• Recognition of own weaknesses
• Solo and co-op problem solving