Final answer:
To find the length of the arc of the curve from point P to point Q, use the arc length formula ∫(a to b) sqrt[1+(f'(x))^2] dx. Substitute the given curve y = (1/2) * x^2 and its derivative f'(x) = x into the formula. Evaluate the integral to find the length of the arc.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the length of the arc of the curve from point P to point Q, we can use the arc length formula for a curve y=f(x):
L = ∫(a to b) sqrt[1+(f'(x)) ^2] dx
For the given curve y = (1/2) * x^2, the derivative is f'(x) = x. Substituting these values into the arc length formula:
L = ∫ (-5 to 5) sqrt[1+(x) ^2] dx
This integral can be evaluated to find the length of the arc.