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Express the arc length of the curve y=tan(x) for 3



≤x≤ 4


as an integral (but do not evaluate). Choose the correct integral. ∫ 2π/3
3π/4

1+sec 4
(x)

dx
∫ 2π/3
3π/4

sec 2
(x)dx
∫ 2π/3
3π/4

1+sec 2
(x)

dx
∫ 2π/3
3π/4

(1+sec 2
(x))dx


User Ductran
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Sure, let's go through this step by step.

We wish to find the arc length of the curve y = tan(x) from x = 2π/3 to x = 4*3π/3. In calculus, the arc length of a curve defined by y = f(x) from a to b is given by the integral:

∫ from a to b (sqrt{1+[dy/dx]^2} dx), where dy/dx is the derivative of the function y = tan(x).

Here the function is y = tan(x).

Step 1: Finding derivative of y, dy/dx

The derivative of y = tan(x) is sec^2(x).

Step 2: Substituting the derivative into the integral

Now we substitute this into the integral. So the integral becomes: ∫ from a to b (sqrt{1 + sec^2(x)} dx)

However, Please note that squaring sec^2(x), remains sec^2(x) not sec^4(x). This is a common mistake that students make. The square of a trigonometric function is just the function again, not the function to the 4th power.

Here a = 2π/3 and b = 4*3π/3

So the arc length integral we are dealing with is:

∫ from 2π/3 to 3π/4 (sqrt{1 + sec^2(x)} dx).

Essentially we have to transform this expression to get rid of the square root.

The integral becomes ∫ from 2π/3 to 3π/4 (1+sec^2(x))dx, which is the formula for the arc length of the curve y = tan(x).

Therefore, the correct integral for the arc length of the curve y = tan(x) from x = 2π/3 to x = 4*3π/3 is ∫ from 2π/3 to 3π/4 (1+sec^2(x))dx.

Please be careful with your trigonometric functions. You should always check the derivatives of trigonometric functions carefully when dealing with integrals involving arc lengths or areas.

User JohnMalcom
by
8.3k points

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