Arc Length

Arc Lenth
In this section, we derive a formula for the length of a curve y = f (x) on an
interval [a, b]. We will assume that f is continuous and differentiable on the
interval [a, b] and we will assume that its derivative f 0 is also continuous on
the interval [a, b]. We use Riemann sums to approximate the length of the
curve over the interval and then take the limit to get an integral.

We see from the picture that

n
X
L = lim |Pi−1 Pi |
n→∞
i=1

b−a
Letting ∆x = n
= |xi−1 − xi |, we
get
v
h f (x ) − f (x
i−1 ) 2
u
i
q i
(xi − xi−1 )2 + (f (xi ) − f (xi−1 ))2 = ∆x t1 +
u
|Pi−1 Pi | =
xi − xi−1

Now by the mean value theorem from last semester, we have

f (xi )−f (xi−1 )
= f 0 (xi∗ ) for some xi∗ in the interval [xi−1 , xi ]. Therefore
xi −xi−1
n n q Z bq
1 + [f 0 (x ∗ )]2 ∆x = 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx
X X
L = lim |Pi−1 Pi | = lim
n→∞ n→∞ i a
i=1 i=1

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

If f is continuous and differentiable on the interval [a, b] and

f 0 is also continuous on the interval [a, b]. We have a formula for the length
of a curve y = f (x) on an interval [a, b].
Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

√
2x 3/2
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 3
from (1, 23 ) to (2, 4 2
3
).

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

If f is continuous and differentiable on the interval [a, b] and

f 0 is also continuous on the interval [a, b]. We have a formula for the length
of a curve y = f (x) on an interval [a, b].
Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

3/2 √
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2x 3 from (1, 23 ) to (2, 4 3 2 ).
3/2 √
I f (x) = 2x
3
, f 0 (x) = 23 · 23 x 1/2 = x, [f 0 (x)]2 = x, a = 1 and b = 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

If f is continuous and differentiable on the interval [a, b] and

f 0 is also continuous on the interval [a, b]. We have a formula for the length
of a curve y = f (x) on an interval [a, b].
Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

3/2 √
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2x 3 from (1, 23 ) to (2, 4 3 2 ).
3/2 √
I f (x) = 2x
3
, f 0 (x) = 23 · 23 x 1/2 = x, [f 0 (x)]2 = x, a = 1 and b = 2.
Rbp R2√
I L=
a
1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 1 1 + x dx

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

If f is continuous and differentiable on the interval [a, b] and

f 0 is also continuous on the interval [a, b]. We have a formula for the length
of a curve y = f (x) on an interval [a, b].
Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

3/2 √
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2x 3 from (1, 23 ) to (2, 4 3 2 ).
3/2 √
I f (x) = 2x
3
, f 0 (x) = 23 · 23 x 1/2 = x, [f 0 (x)]2 = x, a = 1 and b = 2.
Rbp R2√
I L=
a
1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 1 1 + x dx
R3√
I = u du, where u = 1 + x, u(1) = 2, u(2) = 3.
2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

If f is continuous and differentiable on the interval [a, b] and

f 0 is also continuous on the interval [a, b]. We have a formula for the length
of a curve y = f (x) on an interval [a, b].
Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

3/2 √
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2x 3 from (1, 23 ) to (2, 4 3 2 ).
3/2 √
I f (x) = 2x
3
, f 0 (x) = 23 · 23 x 1/2 = x, [f 0 (x)]2 = x, a = 1 and b = 2.
Rbp R2√
I L=
a
1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 1 1 + x dx
R3√
I = u du, where u = 1 + x, u(1) = 2, u(2) = 3.
2
˛3
3/2 ˛
˛ √ √
I = u = 23 [3 3 − 2 2].
3/2 ˛ ˛
2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

e x +e −x
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

e x +e −x
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
x −x x −x
I f (x) = e +e ,
2
f 0 (x) = e −e2
,
−x −2x
0 2 2x x
e −2e e +e e −2+e −2x
2x
[f (x)] = 4
= 4
, a = 0 and b = 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

e x +e −x
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
x −x x −x
I f (x) = e +e ,
2
f 0 (x) = e −e2
,
−x −2x
0 2 2x x
e −2e e +e e −2+e −2x
2x
[f (x)] = 4
= 4
, a = 0 and b = 2.
Rbp R2q e 2x −2+e −2x
R 2 q e 2x +2+e −2x
I L= a 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 0 1 + 4
dx = 0 4
dx

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

e x +e −x
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
x −x x −x
I f (x) = e +e ,
2
f 0 (x) = e −e2
,
−x −2x
0 2 2x x
e −2e e +e e −2+e −2x
2x
[f (x)] = 4
= 4
, a = 0 and b = 2.
Rbp R2q 2x −2x R 2 q e 2x +2+e −2x
I L= a 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 0 1 + e −2+e 4
dx = 0 4
dx
r“ ”2
R2 e x +e −x
R 2 x −x
I = 0 2
dx = 0 e +e2 dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

e x +e −x
Example Find the arc length of the curve y = 2
, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
x −x x −x
I f (x) = e +e ,
2
f 0 (x) = e −e2
,
−x −2x
0 2 2x x
e −2e e +e e −2+e −2x
2x
[f (x)] = 4
= 4
, a = 0 and b = 2.
Rbp R2q 2x −2x R 2 q e 2x +2+e −2x
I L= a 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 0 1 + e −2+e 4
dx = 0 4
dx
r“ ”2
R2 e x +e −x
R 2 x −x
I = 0 2
dx = 0 e +e2 dx.
˛2
˛
e x −e −x e 2 −e −2
I = ˛ = .
˛
2 ˛ 2
0

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

Example Set up the integral which gives the arc length of the curve
y = e x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

Example Set up the integral which gives the arc length of the curve
y = e x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
I f (x) = e x , f 0 (x) = e x , [f 0 (x)]2 = e 2x , a = 0 and b = 2.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length

Z b Z b
r h dy i2
p
L= 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx or L = 1+ dx
a a dx

Example Set up the integral which gives the arc length of the curve
y = e x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.
I f (x) = e x , f 0 (x) = e x , [f 0 (x)]2 = e 2x , a = 0 and b = 2.
Rbp R2√
I L= a 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx = 0 1 + e 2x dx.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).
y 4 +48 y3 2
I Solving for x in terms of y , we get x = 24y
= 24
+ y
= g (y ).

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).
y 4 +48 y3 2
I Solving for x in terms of y , we get x = 24y
= 24
+ y
= g (y ).
2 2 4 2
y4
I g 0 (y ) = 3y
24
− 2
y2
= y
8
− 2
y2
. [g 0 (y )]2 = y
64
− 4
y2
· y
8
+ 4
y4
= 64
− 1
2
+ 4
y4

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).
y 4 +48 y3 2
I Solving for x in terms of y , we get x = 24y
= 24
+ y
= g (y ).
2 2 4 2
y4
I g 0 (y ) = 3y24 − y22 = y8 − y22 . [g 0 (y )]2 = y64 − y42 · y8 + 4
y4
= 64
− 1
2
+ 4
y4
Rd p R4q 4
I L= c 1 + [f 0 (y )]2 dy = 2 1 + y64 − 12 + y44 dy .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).
y 4 +48 y3 2
I Solving for x in terms of y , we get x = 24y
= 24
+ y
= g (y ).
2 2 4 2
y4
I g 0 (y ) = 3y24 − y22 = y8 − y22 . [g 0 (y )]2 = y64 − y42 · y8 + 4
y4
= 64
− 1
2
+ 4
y4
Rd p R4q 4
I L= c 1 + [f 0 (y )]2 dy = 2 1 + y64 − 12 + y44 dy .
r ”2
R 4 q y4 1 4
R 4 “ y2
I = 2 64
+ 2
+ y4
dy = 2 8
+ y22 dy .

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, curves of form x = g (y ).

For a curve with equation x = g (y ), where g (y ) is continuous and has a
continuous derivative on the interval c ≤ y ≤ d, we can derive a similar
formula for the arc length of the curve between y = c and y = d.
v
Z d q Z d u h dx i2
1 + [g 0 (y )]2 dy or L =
u
L = t1 + dy
c c dy

Example Find the length of the curve 24xy = y 4 + 48 from the point ( 43 , 2) to
( 11
4
, 4).
y 4 +48 y3 2
I Solving for x in terms of y , we get x = 24y
= 24
+ y
= g (y ).
2 2 4 2
y4
I g 0 (y ) = 3y24 − y22 = y8 − y22 . [g 0 (y )]2 = y64 − y42 · y8 + 4
y4
= 64
− 1
2
+ 4
y4
Rd p R4q 4
I L= c 1 + [f 0 (y )]2 dy = 2 1 + y64 − 12 + y44 dy .
r ”2
R 4 q y4 1 4
R 4 “ y2
I = 2 64
+ 2
+ y4
dy = 2 8
+ y22 dy .
˛4
˛
y2 y3
R4 2 2˛ 17
I = 2 8
+ y2
dy = 24
− y˛
= 6
.
˛
2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, Simpson’s rule

We cannot always find an antiderivative for the integrand to evaluate the arc
length. However, we can use Simpson’s rule to estimate the arc length.

Example Use Simpson’s rule with n = 10 to estimate the length of the curve
√
x = y + y, 2 ≤ y ≤ 4

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, Simpson’s rule

We cannot always find an antiderivative for the integrand to evaluate the arc
length. However, we can use Simpson’s rule to estimate the arc length.

Example Use Simpson’s rule with n = 10 to estimate the length of the curve
√
x = y + y, 2 ≤ y ≤ 4

1
I dx/dy = 1 + √
2 y
,

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, Simpson’s rule

We cannot always find an antiderivative for the integrand to evaluate the arc
length. However, we can use Simpson’s rule to estimate the arc length.

Example Use Simpson’s rule with n = 10 to estimate the length of the curve
√
x = y + y, 2 ≤ y ≤ 4

1
I dx/dy = 1 + √
2 y
,
r r
dx 2 dy = R 4 1 + 1 + √
i2 R r
I
h i h
L = 24 1 dy = 24 2 + √1 + 1 dy
R
1+ 2
dy 2 y y 4y

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, Simpson’s rule

We cannot always find an antiderivative for the integrand to evaluate the arc
length. However, we can use Simpson’s rule to estimate the arc length.

Example Use Simpson’s rule with n = 10 to estimate the length of the curve
√
x = y + y, 2 ≤ y ≤ 4

1
I dx/dy = 1 + √
2 y
,
r r
dx 2 dy = R 4 1 + 1 + √
i2 R r
I
h i h
L = 24 1 dy = 24 2 + √1 + 1 dy
R
1+ 2
dy 2 y y 4y

I With n = 10, Simpson’s rule gives us

∆y ˆ ˜
L ≈ S10 = g (2) + 4g (2.2) + 2g (2.4) + 4g (2.6) + 2g (2.8) + 4g (3) + 2g (3.2) + 4g (3.4) + 2g (3.6) + 4g (3.8) + g (4)
3

q
where g (y ) = 2+ √1 + 1
and ∆y = 4−2
. (see notes for details).
y 4y 10

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length, Simpson’s rule

We cannot always find an antiderivative for the integrand to evaluate the arc
length. However, we can use Simpson’s rule to estimate the arc length.

Example Use Simpson’s rule with n = 10 to estimate the length of the curve
√
x = y + y, 2 ≤ y ≤ 4

1
I dx/dy = 1 + √
2 y
,
r r
dx 2 dy = R 4 1 + 1 + √
i2 R r
I
h i h
L = 24 1 dy = 24 2 + √1 + 1 dy
R
1+ 2
dy 2 y y 4y

I With n = 10, Simpson’s rule gives us

∆y ˆ ˜
L ≈ S10 = g (2) + 4g (2.2) + 2g (2.4) + 4g (2.6) + 2g (2.8) + 4g (3) + 2g (3.2) + 4g (3.4) + 2g (3.6) + 4g (3.8) + g (4)
3

q
where g (y ) = 2+ √1 + 1
and ∆y = 4−2
. (see notes for details).
y 4y 10

I We get S10 ≈ 3.269185.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length Function

The distance along a curve with equation y = f (x) from a fixed point (a, f (a))
is a function of x. It is called the arc length function and is given by
Z xp
s(x) = 1 + [f 0 (t)]2 dt.
a

From the fundamental theorem of calculus, we see that s 0 (x) = 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 .

p

In the language of differentials, this translates to

r “ dy ”2
ds = 1 + dx or (ds)2 = (dx)2 + (dy )2
dx

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length Function

The distance along a curve with equation y = f (x) from a fixed point (a, f (a))
is a function of x. It is called the arc length function and is given by
Z xp
s(x) = 1 + [f 0 (t)]2 dt.
a

2x 3/2
Example Find the arc length function for the curve y = 3
taking P0 (1, 3/2)
as the starting point.

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length Function

The distance along a curve with equation y = f (x) from a fixed point (a, f (a))
is a function of x. It is called the arc length function and is given by
Z xp
s(x) = 1 + [f 0 (t)]2 dt.
a

2x 3/2
Example Find the arc length function for the curve y = 3
taking P0 (1, 3/2)
as the starting point.
3/2
d 2x 3 √
I We have dx
= x

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length Function

The distance along a curve with equation y = f (x) from a fixed point (a, f (a))
is a function of x. It is called the arc length function and is given by
Z xp
s(x) = 1 + [f 0 (t)]2 dt.
a

2x 3/2
Example Find the arc length function for the curve y = 3
taking P0 (1, 3/2)
as the starting point.
3/2
d 2x 3 √
I We have dx
= x
I
x √ x √ 1+x √
Z q Z Z
s(x) = 1 + ( t)2 dt = 1 + tdt = udu
1 1 2
where u = 1 + t

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length

 Arc Length

Arc Length Function

The distance along a curve with equation y = f (x) from a fixed point (a, f (a))
is a function of x. It is called the arc length function and is given by
Z xp
s(x) = 1 + [f 0 (t)]2 dt.
a

2x 3/2
Example Find the arc length function for the curve y = 3
taking P0 (1, 3/2)
as the starting point.
3/2
d 2x 3 √
I We have dx
= x
I
x √ x √ 1+x √
Z q Z Z
s(x) = 1 + ( t)2 dt = 1 + tdt = udu
1 1 2
where u = 1 + t
I
˛x+1
u 3/2 ˛
˛ √ √
= = 2(x + 1) x + 1/3 − 4 2/3
3/2 ˛
˛
2

Annette Pilkington Lecture 16 : Arc Length