8

FURTHER
APPLICATIONS
OF INTEGRATION

The length of a curve

is the limit of lengths of
inscribed polygons.

We looked at some applications of integrals in Chapter 6: areas, volumes, work, and

average values. Here we explore some of the many other geometric applications of
integration—the length of a curve, the area of a surface—as well as quantities of
interest in physics, engineering, biology, economics, and statistics. For instance, we will
investigate the center of gravity of a plate, the force exerted by water pressure on a dam,
the flow of blood from the human heart, and the average time spent on hold during a
customer support telephone call.

524
 8.1 ARC LENGTH

What do we mean by the length of a curve? We might think of fitting a piece of string to
the curve in Figure 1 and then measuring the string against a ruler. But that might be
difficult to do with much accuracy if we have a complicated curve. We need a precise
definition for the length of an arc of a curve, in the same spirit as the definitions we devel-
FIGURE 1 oped for the concepts of area and volume.
If the curve is a polygon, we can easily find its length; we just add the lengths of the
TEC Visual 8.1 shows an animation line segments that form the polygon. (We can use the distance formula to find the distance
of Figure 2. between the endpoints of each segment.) We are going to define the length of a general
curve by first approximating it by a polygon and then taking a limit as the number of seg-
ments of the polygon is increased. This process is familiar for the case of a circle, where
the circumference is the limit of lengths of inscribed polygons (see Figure 2).
Now suppose that a curve C is defined by the equation y ­ f s xd, where f is continuous
and a ø x ø b. We obtain a polygonal approximation to C by dividing the interval fa, bg
into n subintervals with endpoints x 0 , x 1, . . . , x n and equal width D x. If yi ­ f s x i d, then
the point Pi s x i , yi d lies on C and the polygon with vertices P0 , P1 , . . . , Pn , illustrated in
Figure 3, is an approximation to C.
y
P™
y=ƒ
P¡
Pi-1
Pi Pn
FIGURE 2 P¸

0 a x¡ ¤ x i-1 x i b x
FIGURE 3

The length L of C is approximately the length of this polygon and the approximation
gets better as we let n increase. (See Figure 4, where the arc of the curve between Pi21 and
Pi has been magnified and approximations with successively smaller values of D x are
shown.) Therefore we define the length L of the curve C with equation y ­ f s xd,
Pi a ø x ø b, as the limit of the lengths of these inscribed polygons (if the limit exists):

Pi n
1 L ­ nlim o | Pi21Pi |
l` i­1
Pi-1
Pi
Notice that the procedure for defining arc length is very similar to the procedure we
Pi-1 used for defining area and volume: We divided the curve into a large number of small parts.
Pi We then found the approximate lengths of the small parts and added them. Finally, we took
the limit as n l `.
Pi-1 The definition of arc length given by Equation 1 is not very convenient for compu-
tational purposes, but we can derive an integral formula for L in the case where f has a
continuous derivative. [Such a function f is called smooth because a small change in x
Pi-1 produces a small change in f 9s xd.]
If we let Dyi ­ yi 2 yi21 , then
FIGURE 4
| Pi 1Pi | ­ ss xi 2 xi
2 21 d2 1 s yi 2 yi21 d2 ­ ssD xd2 1 sDyi d2

525
526 |||| CHAPTER 8 FURTHER APPLICATIONS OF INTEGRATION

By applying the Mean Value Theorem to f on the interval fx i21, x i g, we find that there is a
number xi* between x i21 and x i such that
f s x i d 2 f s x i21 d ­ f 9s xi*ds x i 2 x i21 d
that is, Dyi ­ f 9s xi*d D x
Thus we have
| Pi 1Pi | ­ ssD xd2 1 sDyi d2 ­ ssD xd2 1 f f 9s xi*d D xg 2
2

­ s1 1 [ f 9s xi*dg 2 ssD xd2 ­ s1 1 f f 9s xi*dg 2 D x (since D x . 0 )

Therefore, by Definition 1,
n n
L ­ nlim
l`
o | Pi21Pi | ­ nlim
i­1 l`
o s1 1 f f 9s xi*dg 2 D x
i­1

We recognize this expression as being equal to

b
ya s1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 dx
by the definition of a definite integral. This integral exists because the function
ts xd ­ s1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 is continuous. Thus we have proved the following theorem:

2 THE ARC LENGTH FORMULA If f 9 is continuous on fa, bg, then the length of
the curve y ­ f s xd, a ø x ø b, is
b
L ­ ya s1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 dx

If we use Leibniz notation for derivatives, we can write the arc length formula as
follows:

3 L­y
b

a
Î1 S dydx D dx
1
2

y EXAMPLE 1 Find the length of the arc of the semicubical parabola y 2 ­ x 3 between the
points s1, 1d and s4, 8d. (See Figure 5.)
(4,€8)
SOLUTION For the top half of the curve we have

dy 3 1y2
y ­ x 3y2 ­ x
¥=˛
dx 2
and so the arc length formula gives
(1,€1)
0

FIGURE 5
x
L­y
1
4
Î1 S dydx D dx
1
2
4
­ y s1 1 94 x
1
dx

If we substitute u ­ 1 1 94 x, then du ­ 94 dx. When x ­ 1, u ­ 134 ; when x ­ 4, u ­ 10.

 SECTION 8.1 ARC LENGTH |||| 527

N As a check on our answer to Example 1, notice Therefore

L ­ 49 y13y4 su du ­ 49 ? 23 u 3y2]13y4
from Figure 5 that the arc length ought to be
10 10
slightly larger than the distance from s1, 1d to
s4, 8d, which is
s58 < 7.615773
According to our calculation in Example 1, we
­ 27
8
[10 3y2
2 ( 134 )3 2 ] ­ 271 (80 s10 2 13 s13 )
y
M

have
If a curve has the equation x ­ ts yd, c ø y ø d, and t9s yd is continuous, then by inter-
L ­ 271 (80 s10 )
2 13 s13 < 7.633705 changing the roles of x and y in Formula 2 or Equation 3, we obtain the following formula
Sure enough, this is a bit greater than the length for its length:
of the line segment.

4 L ­ yc s1 1 ft9s ydg 2 dy ­ y
d d

c
Î1 S dxdy D dy
1
2

V EXAMPLE 2 Find the length of the arc of the parabola y 2 ­ x from s0, 0d to s1, 1d.
SOLUTION Since x ­ y 2, we have dxydy ­ 2y, and Formula 4 gives

L­y
0
1
Î1 S dxdy D dy
1
2
­ y s1 1
0
1
4y 2 dy

We make the trigonometric substitution y ­ 12 tan u, which gives dy ­ 12 sec 2u du and

s1 1 4y 2 ­ s1 1 tan 2u ­ sec u. When y ­ 0, tan u ­ 0, so u ­ 0; when y ­ 1,
tan u ­ 2, so u ­ tan21 2 ­ a, say. Thus

L ­ y0 sec u ? 12 sec 2u du ­ 12 y0 sec 3u du

a a

1
­2?2
1
[sec u tan u 1 ln | sec u 1 tan u |] a
0 (from Example 8 in Section 7.2)

­4
1
(sec a tan a 1 ln | sec a 1 tan a |)
(We could have used Formula 21 in the Table of Integrals.) Since tan a ­ 2, we have
sec 2a ­ 1 1 tan 2a ­ 5, so sec a ­ s5 and
s5 ln(s5 1 2)
L­ 1 M
2 4
y

N Figure 6 shows the arc of the parabola whose

1
n Ln
length is computed in Example 2, together with
polygonal approximations having n ­ 1 and x=¥ 1 1.414
n ­ 2 line segments, respectively. For n ­ 1 2 1.445
the approximate length is L 1 ­ s2 , the diago- 4 1.464
nal of a square. The table shows the approxima- 8 1.472
tions L n that we get by dividing f0, 1g into n 16 1.476
equal subintervals. Notice that each time we
double the number of sides of the polygon, we
32 1.478
get closer to the exact length, which is
0 1 x 64 1.479
s5 ln(s5 1 2)
L­ 1 < 1.478943
2 4 FIGURE 6
528 |||| CHAPTER 8 FURTHER APPLICATIONS OF INTEGRATION

Because of the presence of the square root sign in Formulas 2 and 4, the calculation of
an arc length often leads to an integral that is very difficult or even impossible to evaluate
explicitly. Thus we sometimes have to be content with finding an approximation to the
length of a curve, as in the following example.

V EXAMPLE 3
(a) Set up an integral for the length of the arc of the hyperbola xy ­ 1 from the
point s1, 1d to the point (2, 12 ).
(b) Use Simpson’s Rule with n ­ 10 to estimate the arc length.
SOLUTION
(a) We have
1 dy 1
y­ ­2
x dx x2
and so the arc length is

L­y
2

1
Î S D dx y Î1
11
dy
dx
2
­
2

1
1
1
x 4 dx ­ y
1
2 sx 4 1 1

x2
dx

(b) Using Simpson’s Rule (see Section 7.7) with a ­ 1, b ­ 2, n ­ 10, D x ­ 0.1, and
f s xd ­ s1 1 1yx 4 , we have

L­y
2

1
Î1 1
1
x4
dx
N Checking the value of the definite integral
Dx
f f s1d 1 4 f s1.1d 1 2 f s1.2d 1 4 f s1.3d 1 ? ? ? 1 2 f s1.8d 1 4 f s1.9d 1 f s2dg
with a more accurate approximation produced by
<
a computer algebra system, we see that the 3
approximation using Simpson’s Rule is accurate
to four decimal places.
< 1.1321 M

THE ARC LENGTH FUNCTION

We will find it useful to have a function that measures the arc length of a curve from a par-
ticular starting point to any other point on the curve. Thus if a smooth curve C has the
equation y ­ f s xd, a ø x ø b, let ss xd be the distance along C from the initial point
P0sa, f sadd to the point Qs x, f s xdd. Then s is a function, called the arc length function, and,
by Formula 2,
x
5 ss xd ­ ya s1 1 f f 9stdg 2 dt

(We have replaced the variable of integration by t so that x does not have two meanings.)
We can use Part 1 of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to differentiate Equation 5
(since the integrand is continuous):

6
ds
dx
­ s1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 ­ Î1 S dydx D
1
2
 SECTION 8.1 ARC LENGTH |||| 529

Equation 6 shows that the rate of change of s with respect to x is always at least 1 and is
equal to 1 when f 9s xd, the slope of the curve, is 0. The differential of arc length is

7 ds ­ Î1 S dxdy D dx
1
2

and this equation is sometimes written in the symmetric form

8 sdsd2 ­ sdxd2 1 sdyd2
y

ds The geometric interpretation of Equation 8 is shown in Figure 7. It can be used as a

Îs Îy
dy
mnemonic device for remembering both of the Formulas 3 and 4. If we write L ­ x ds, then
from Equation 8 either we can solve to get (7), which gives (3), or we can solve to get
dx

0 x
ds ­ Î1 S dxdy D dy
1
2

FIGURE 7 which gives (4).

V EXAMPLE 4 Find the arc length function for the curve y ­ x 2 2 18 ln x taking P0s1, 1d
as the starting point.
SOLUTION If f s xd ­ x 2 2 8 ln x, then
1

1
f 9s xd ­ 2 x 2
8x

S
1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 ­ 1 1 2 x 2
1 2
8x D ­ 1 1 4x 2 2
1
2
1
1
64 x 2
­ 4x 2 1
1
2
1
1
64 x 2
­ 2 S
x 1
1 2
8x D
1
s1 1 f f 9s xdg 2 ­ 2x 1
8x

Thus the arc length function is given by

x
ss xd ­ y1 s1 1 f f 9stdg 2 dt

­ y1
x
S2t 81t D dt
2 ­ t 2 1 18 ln t]1
x

­ x 2 1 18 ln x 2 1
For instance, the arc length along the curve from s1, 1d to s3, f s3dd is

ln 3
ss3d ­ 32 1 18 ln 3 2 1 ­ 8 1 < 8.1373 M
8
530 |||| CHAPTER 8 FURTHER APPLICATIONS OF INTEGRATION

y y

1
s(x)

N Figure 8 shows the interpretation of the arc

1 P¸
length function in Example 4. Figure 9 shows the 0 x
1
graph of this arc length function. Why is ss xd y=≈- 18 ln€x
negative when x is less than 1?
s(x)=≈+18 ln€x-1
0 1 x x

FIGURE 8 FIGURE 9

8.1 EXERCISES

1.Use the arc length formula (3) to find the length of the curve 15. y ­ lns1 2 x 2 d, 0 ø x ø 21
y ­ 2 x 2 5, 21 ø x ø 3. Check your answer by noting that
the curve is a line segment and calculating its length by the 16. y ­ sx 2 x 2 1 sin21 (sx )
distance formula.
17. y ­ e x, 0 ø x ø 1
2. Use the arc length formula to find the length of the curve
y ­ s2 2 x 2 , 0 ø x ø 1. Check your answer by noting that
the curve is part of a circle. 18. y ­ lnS ee 11 D,
x
x
1
2
a ø x ø b, a . 0
3–6 Set up, but do not evaluate, an integral for the length of the
curve.
3. y ­ cos x, 0 ø x ø 2p ; 19–20 Find the length of the arc of the curve from point P to
point Q.
y ­ xe , 0 ø x ø 1 19. y ­ 2 x 2, P (21, 2 ), Q (1, 2 )
2x 2 1 1 1
4.

5. x ­ y 1 y 3, 1 ø y ø 4 20. x 2 ­ s y 2 4d3, Ps1, 5d, Q s8, 8d

x2 y2
6. 1 1
a2 b2
­
; 21–22 Graph the curve and visually estimate its length. Then find
its exact length.
21. y ­ 3 s x 2 2 1d3y2, 1 ø x ø 3
2
7–18 Find the length of the curve.
7. y ­ 1 1 6 x 3y 2 , 0 ø x ø 1 x3 1
22. y­ 1 ,
1
2 ø xø1
8. y 2
­ 4s x 1 4d , 3
0 ø x ø 2, y . 0 6 2x
x5 1
9. y­ 1 , 1øxø2 23–26 Use Simpson’s Rule with n ­ 10 to estimate the arc
6 10 x 3
length of the curve. Compare your answer with the value of the
y4 1 integral produced by your calculator.
10. x­ 1 , 1øyø2
8 4y 2 23. y ­ xe2x, 0 ø x ø 5
11. x ­ 31 sy s y 2 3d, 1 ø y ø 9 24. x ­ y 1 sy , 1 ø y ø 2
12. y ­ lnscos xd, 0 ø x ø py 3
25. y ­ sec x, 0 ø x ø py3
13. y ­ lnssec xd, 0 ø x ø py4
26. y ­ x ln x, 1 ø x ø 3
14. y ­ 3 1 21 cosh 2 x, 0 ø x ø 1
 SECTION 8.1 ARC LENGTH |||| 531

; 27. (a) Graph the curve y ­ x s4 2 x , 0 ø x ø 4.

3 the distance traveled by the prey from the time it is dropped
(b) Compute the lengths of inscribed polygons with n ­ 1, 2, until the time it hits the ground. Express your answer correct
and 4 sides. (Divide the interval into equal subintervals.) to the nearest tenth of a meter.
Illustrate by sketching these polygons (as in Figure 6).
(c) Set up an integral for the length of the curve. 38. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis (see the photo on page 256)
(d) Use your calculator to find the length of the curve to four was constructed using the equation
decimal places. Compare with the approximations in y ­ 211.49 2 20.96 cosh 0.03291765x
part (b).
for the central curve of the arch, where x and y are measured
; 28. Repeat Exercise 27 for the curve in meters and | x | ø 91.20. Set up an integral for the length
of the arch and use your calculator to estimate the length
y ­ x 1 sin x 0 ø x ø 2p correct to the nearest meter.
CAS 29. Use either a computer algebra system or a table of integrals to
find the exact length of the arc of the curve y ­ ln x that lies 39. A manufacturer of corrugated metal roofing wants to produce
between the points s1, 0d and s2, ln 2d. panels that are 28 in. wide and 2 in. thick by processing flat
sheets of metal as shown in the figure. The profile of the roof-
CAS 30. Use either a computer algebra system or a table of integrals to ing takes the shape of a sine wave. Verify that the sine curve
find the exact length of the arc of the curve y ­ x 4y3 that lies has equation y ­ sinsp xy 7d and find the width w of a flat
between the points s0, 0d and s1, 1d. If your CAS has trouble metal sheet that is needed to make a 28-inch panel. (Use your
evaluating the integral, make a substitution that changes the calculator to evaluate the integral correct to four significant
integral into one that the CAS can evaluate. digits.)
31. Sketch the curve with equation x 2y3 1 y 2y3 ­ 1 and use sym-
metry to find its length.
32. (a) Sketch the curve y 3 ­ x 2.
(b) Use Formulas 3 and 4 to set up two integrals for the arc 2 in
w 28 in
length from s0, 0d to s1, 1d. Observe that one of these is
an improper integral and evaluate both of them.
(c) Find the length of the arc of this curve from s21, 1d 40. (a) The figure shows a telephone wire hanging between
to s8, 4d. two poles at x ­ 2b and x ­ b. It takes the shape of a
catenary with equation y ­ c 1 a coshs xyad. Find the
33. Find the arc length function for the curve y ­ 2 x 3y2 with length of the wire.
starting point P0 s1, 2d. ; (b) Suppose two telephone poles are 50 ft apart and the
length of the wire between the poles is 51 ft. If the lowest
; 34. (a) Graph the curve y ­ 3 x 1 1ys4 xd, x . 0.
1 3 point of the wire must be 20 ft above the ground, how
(b) Find the arc length function for this curve with starting high up on each pole should the wire be attached?
point P0 (1, 127 ).
(c) Graph the arc length function. y

35. Find the arc length function for the curve

y ­ sin21 x 1 s1 2 x 2 with starting point s0, 1d.
36. A steady wind blows a kite due west. The kite’s height above
ground from horizontal position x ­ 0 to x ­ 80 ft is given _b 0 b x
by y ­ 150 2 401 s x 2 50d2. Find the distance traveled by the
kite.
41. Find the length of the curve
37. A hawk flying at 15 mys at an altitude of 180 m accidentally
drops its prey. The parabolic trajectory of the falling prey is y ­ x1x st 3 2 1 dt 1øxø4
described by the equation
x2 ; 42. The curves with equations x n 1 y n ­ 1, n ­ 4, 6, 8, . . . , are
y ­ 180 2 called fat circles. Graph the curves with n ­ 2, 4, 6, 8, and
45 10 to see why. Set up an integral for the length L 2 k of the fat
until it hits the ground, where y is its height above the ground circle with n ­ 2 k. Without attempting to evaluate this inte-
and x is the horizontal distance traveled in meters. Calculate gral, state the value of lim k l ` L 2 k .