0:00 / 0:00

Arc Length of a Curve

If f(x)f'\left(x\right) is continuous on [a,b][a,b], then the length of the curve y=f(x)y=f(x) where axba\le x\le b is L=ab1+[f(x)]2dxL= \displaystyle\int_a^b \sqrt{1+\left[f'\left(x\right)\right]^2}dx.

If g(y)g'\left(y\right) is continuous on [c,d][c,d], then the length of the curve x=g(y)x=g(y) where cydc\le y\le d is L=cd1+[g(y)]2dyL= \displaystyle\int_c^d \sqrt{1+\left[g'\left(y\right)\right]^2}dy.

Arc Length Function

For any smooth curve C with equation y=f(x)y=f\left(x\right), the arc length (distance) from a starting point P0(a,f(a))P_0\left(a,f\left(a\right)\right) to any given point Q(x,f(x))Q\left(x,f\left(x\right)\right) is given by the function s(x)=ax1+[f(t)]2dts\left(x\right)= \displaystyle \int_a^x \sqrt{1+\left[f'\left(t\right)\right]^2}dt

Practice: Arc Length

Find the exact length of the curve x=y(y2)6x=\frac{\sqrt{y}\left(y-2\right)}{\sqrt{6}}, 1y41\le y\le4.

Practice Question

Find the arc length function for the curve y=2x32y=2x^{\frac{3}{2}} with starting point P0(0,3)P_0\left(0,3\right).