What is the Correct Way to Find the Length of a Contour Gamma?

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The correct method to find the length of the contour Gamma, parametrized by z(t) = 5e3it, involves calculating the integral ∫0π |dz/dt| dt. The magnitude |dz/dt| simplifies to |15ie3it|, which equals 15. The error in the discussion arose from a misunderstanding of Euler's identity, where eit was incorrectly interpreted as etei. The correct application of Euler's identity yields cos(3t) + i sin(3t).

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Find the length of the contour Gamma parametrized by [itex]z = z(t) = 5e^{3it}[/itex]

the legnth of contour is [tex]\int_{0}^{\pi} \left|\frac{dz}{dt}\right| dt[/tex]

now [tex]\left|\frac{dz}{dt}\right| = |15ie^{3it}| = |15ie^{3t}\cos(t) - 15e^{3t}\sin(t)| = \sqrt{225e^{6t} + 225e^{6t}}[/tex]

is this right so far?? I think I am making a mess of the magnitude part
 
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stunner5000pt said:
Find the length of the contour Gamma parametrized by [itex]z = z(t) = 5e^{3it}[/itex]

the legnth of contour is [tex]\int_{0}^{\pi} \left|\frac{dz}{dt}\right| dt[/tex]

now [tex]\left|\frac{dz}{dt}\right| = |15ie^{3it}| = |15ie^{3t}\cos(t) - 15e^{3t}\sin(t)| = \sqrt{225e^{6t} + 225e^{6t}}[/tex]

is this right so far?? I think I am making a mess of the magnitude part

The magnitude of [itex]15ie^{3it}[/itex] is 15! (just take the expression times its complex conjugate and then take the square root!).

Your second step is all wrong. You seem to think that [itex]e^{it} = e^t e^i[/itex] ?? That`s of course incorrect!

Euler`s identity applied to [itex]e^{3 i t}[/itex]gives [itex]cos(3t) + i sin(3t)[/itex]

EDIT: which can also be written as [itex](e^{it})^3 = (cos t + i sin t)^3[/itex] of course
 
Last edited:
nrqed said:
The magnitude of [itex]15ie^{3it}[/itex] is 15! (just take the expression times its complex conjugate and then take the square root!).

Your second step is all wrong. You seem to think that [itex]e^{it} = e^t e^i[/itex] ?? That`s of course incorrect!

Euler`s identity applied to [itex]e^{3 i t}[/itex]gives [itex]cos(3t) + i sin(3t)[/itex]

EDIT: which can also be written as [itex](e^{it})^3 = (cos t + i sin t)^3[/itex] of course

dont i feel stupid!
i was using Euler's identitiy incorrectly, when my course... for the most part... is based on it!
 

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