## 17Calculus Parametric Equations - Arc Length

##### 17Calculus

On this page we discuss integration and arc length of parametric equations.

When a smooth curve is defined parametrically as $$x=X(t)$$ and $$y = Y(t)$$, the arc length between the points $$t=t_0$$ and $$t = t_1$$ can be calculated using the integral

$$\displaystyle{ s = \int_{t_0}^{t_1}{\sqrt{[X'(t)]^2 + [Y'(t)]^2} dt}}$$
Notice we use a small s here to represent the arc length. This is the standard symbol you will see in many textbooks. We reserve a capital S to represent surface area.

Here is a quick video clip going over this equation in more detail.

### PatrickJMT - Arc Length [47secs]

video by PatrickJMT

Practice

Unless otherwise instructed, calculate the arc length of these parametric curves on the given intervals.

Basic

$$x = 2+6t^2$$, $$y = 5+4t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq \sqrt{8}$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = 2+6t^2$$, $$y = 5+4t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq \sqrt{8}$$.

Solution

### The Organic Chemistry Tutor - 3505 video solution

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = 9t^2$$, $$y = 9t-3t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 2$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = 9t^2$$, $$y = 9t-3t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 2$$.

Solution

### The Organic Chemistry Tutor - 3506 video solution

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x(t)=3t^2-9$$, $$y(t)=t^3-3t$$, $$0\leq t\leq 3$$

Problem Statement

Compute the arc length of the curve with parametric equations $$x(t)=3t^2-9$$, $$y(t)=t^3-3t$$, $$0\leq t\leq 3$$.

$$36$$

Problem Statement

Compute the arc length of the curve with parametric equations $$x(t)=3t^2-9$$, $$y(t)=t^3-3t$$, $$0\leq t\leq 3$$.

Solution

### Dr Chris Tisdell - 2001 video solution

video by Dr Chris Tisdell

$$36$$

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x(t) = t \sin(t)$$ $$y(t) = t \cos(t)$$; $$0 \leq t \leq1$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x(t) = t \sin(t)$$ $$y(t) = t \cos(t)$$ on the interval $$0 \leq t \leq1$$.

arc length = $$\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{2}\left[ \sqrt{2}+\ln(\sqrt{2}+1) \right] }$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x(t) = t \sin(t)$$ $$y(t) = t \cos(t)$$ on the interval $$0 \leq t \leq1$$.

Solution

### Krista King Math - 483 video solution

video by Krista King Math

arc length = $$\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{2}\left[ \sqrt{2}+\ln(\sqrt{2}+1) \right] }$$

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = 1+3t^2$$, $$y = 4+2t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 1$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = 1+3t^2$$, $$y = 4+2t^3$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 1$$.

Solution

### PatrickJMT - 1377 video solution

video by PatrickJMT

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = |6-t|$$, $$y = t$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 3$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = |6-t|$$, $$y = t$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 3$$.

Solution

### PatrickJMT - 1379 video solution

video by PatrickJMT

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

Intermediate

$$x = 2t$$, $$y = (2/3)t^{3/2}$$; $$5 \leq t \leq 12$$

Problem Statement

Find the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = 2t$$, $$y = (2/3)t^{3/2}$$ for $$5 \leq t \leq 12$$.

Solution

### Krista King Math - 58 video solution

video by Krista King Math

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = t^3$$, $$y = t^2$$ from $$(0,0)$$ to $$(8,4)$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = t^3$$, $$y = t^2$$ from $$(0,0)$$ to $$(8,4)$$.

Solution

### Dr Chris Tisdell - 469 video solution

video by Dr Chris Tisdell

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x(\theta)=a\cos^3(\theta)$$, $$y(\theta)=a\sin^3(\theta)$$, $$0\leq\theta\leq2\pi$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the curve $$x(\theta)=a\cos^3(\theta)$$, $$y(\theta)=a\sin^3(\theta)$$, $$0\leq\theta\leq2\pi$$.

Solution

Upon initial inspection, this video does not seem to go with the problem statement. However, if you eliminate the parameter θ from the equation, you will get the equation that he starts with in the video.

### Dr Chris Tisdell - 1380 video solution

video by Dr Chris Tisdell

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = e^t+e^{-t}$$, $$y = 5-2t$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 3$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = e^t+e^{-t}$$, $$y = 5-2t$$, $$0 \leq t \leq 3$$.

Solution

### PatrickJMT - 1378 video solution

video by PatrickJMT

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.

$$x = e^t \cos(t)$$, $$y = e^t \sin(t)$$, $$0 \leq t \leq \pi$$

Problem Statement

Calculate the arc length of the parametric curve $$x = e^t \cos(t)$$, $$y = e^t \sin(t)$$, $$0 \leq t \leq \pi$$.

Solution

### PatrickJMT - 1381 video solution

video by PatrickJMT

Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating.