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Ch.12 - Parametric and Polar Curves
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBriggs 3rd EditionCh.12 - Parametric and Polar CurvesProblem 71
Chapter 12, Problem 71

63–74. Arc length of polar curves Find the length of the following polar curves.


The curve r = sin³(θ/3), for 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2

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Recall the formula for the arc length \( L \) of a polar curve \( r = r(\theta) \) from \( \theta = a \) to \( \theta = b \): \[ L = \int_a^b \sqrt{r(\theta)^2 + \left(\frac{d r}{d \theta}\right)^2} \, d\theta \]
Identify the given function and interval: \( r(\theta) = \sin^3\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \) and \( \theta \) ranges from 0 to \( \frac{\pi}{2} \).
Compute the derivative \( \frac{d r}{d \theta} \) using the chain rule: First, write \( r(\theta) = \left( \sin\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \right)^3 \). Then, \[ \frac{d r}{d \theta} = 3 \sin^2\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \cdot \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \cdot \frac{1}{3} = \sin^2\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \]
Substitute \( r(\theta) \) and \( \frac{d r}{d \theta} \) into the arc length formula: \[ L = \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sqrt{ \sin^6\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) + \left( \sin^2\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \cos\left(\frac{\theta}{3}\right) \right)^2 } \, d\theta \]
Simplify the expression inside the square root if possible, then evaluate the integral over the interval \( 0 \leq \theta \leq \frac{\pi}{2} \) to find the arc length.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polar Coordinates and Curves

Polar coordinates represent points in the plane using a radius and an angle (r, θ). Polar curves are defined by equations relating r and θ, such as r = sin³(θ/3). Understanding how to interpret and plot these curves is essential for analyzing their properties, including length.
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Intro to Polar Coordinates

Arc Length Formula for Polar Curves

The arc length of a polar curve r(θ) from θ = a to θ = b is given by the integral ∫ₐᵇ √[r(θ)² + (dr/dθ)²] dθ. This formula accounts for changes in both radius and angle, allowing calculation of the curve's length by integrating over the specified interval.
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Arc Length of Parametric Curves

Differentiation of Polar Functions

To apply the arc length formula, one must compute the derivative dr/dθ accurately. This involves differentiating functions like r = sin³(θ/3) using the chain rule and power rule, which is crucial for evaluating the integral that determines the curve's length.
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Intro to Polar Coordinates
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Tangents and normals: Let a polar curve be described by r = f(θ), and let ℓ be the line tangent to the curve at the point P(x,y) = P(r,θ) (see figure).

e. Prove that the values of θ for which ℓ is parallel to the y-axis satisfy tan θ = f(θ)/f'(θ).


Textbook Question

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.


e. There are two points on the curve x=−4 cos t, y=sin t, for 0≤t≤2π, at which there is a vertical tangent line.

Textbook Question

(Use of Tech) Finger curves: r = f(θ) = cos(aᶿ) - 1.5, where a = (1 + 12π)^(1/(2π)) ≈ 1.78933

d. Plot the curve with various values of k. How many fingers can you produce?