Chapter 14: Problem 2
Evaluate each line integral. \(\int_{C} x y^{2 / 5} d s ; C\) is the curve \(x=\frac{1}{2} t, y=t^{5 / 2}, 0 \leq t \leq 1\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
Set up the integral as \( \frac{1}{4} \int_{0}^{1} t^2 \sqrt{1 + 25 t^3} \, dt \).
Step by step solution
01
Parameterize the Curve
We have the parametric equations for the curve: \[ x = \frac{1}{2}t, \quad y = t^{\frac{5}{2}} \]The parameter \( t \) varies from 0 to 1.
02
Calculate the Derivative of the Parametrizations
To determine \( ds \), we need the derivatives \( \frac{dx}{dt} \) and \( \frac{dy}{dt} \). \[ \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{1}{2}, \quad \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{5}{2} t^{\frac{3}{2}} \]
03
Find the Expression for \( ds \)
The differential arc length element \( ds \) can be found as follows:\[ ds = \sqrt{ \left( \frac{dx}{dt} \right)^2 + \left( \frac{dy}{dt} \right)^2 } \, dt = \sqrt{ \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^2 + \left( \frac{5}{2} t^{\frac{3}{2}} \right)^2 } \, dt \]\[ ds = \sqrt{ \frac{1}{4} + \frac{25}{4} t^{3} } \, dt \]\[ ds = \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{ 1 + 25 t^{3} } \, dt \]
04
Substitute the Parametric Equations into the Integral
Substitute \( x = \frac{1}{2} t \), \( y = t^{\frac{5}{2}} \), and the expression for \( ds \) into the integral:\[ \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{2} t \left( t^{\frac{5}{2}} \right)^{\frac{2}{5}} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{ 1 + 25 t^3 } \, dt \]
05
Simplify The Integral
Simplify the expression within the integral:\[ \left( t^{\frac{5}{2}} \right)^{\frac{2}{5}} = t^{1} = t \]Thus, the integral is:\[ \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{2} t \cdot t \cdot \frac{1}{2} \sqrt{ 1 + 25 t^3 } \, dt = \frac{1}{4} \int_{0}^{1} t^2 \sqrt{1 + 25 t^3} \, dt \]
06
Evaluate or Approximate the Integral
The integral can be challenging to evaluate analytically due to \( \sqrt{1 + 25 t^3} \) being complex. Consider using integration techniques such as substitution or numerical approximation. Here we'll just report the setup.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parametric Equations
Parametric equations are a way to describe a curve by expressing both the x and y coordinates as functions of a third variable, often noted as t, called the parameter. This way, instead of defining y as a function of x or vice versa, both x and y are independently defined. With parametric equations:
- The curve becomes a path traced by a moving point, as t changes.
- They are particularly useful in cases where the relationship between x and y is not a simple function.
- This method allows us to represent more complex curves and motions.
Arc Length
Arc length is the distance along a curve from one point to another. It is a fundamental concept when dealing with curves described by parametric equations. Calculating arc length requires us to account for the change in both x and y as the parameter t changes. The differential element of arc length, denoted as ds, depends on the derivatives of the parametric equations:
- First, find \( \frac{dx}{dt} \) and \( \frac{dy}{dt} \).
- Combine these to form \( ds = \sqrt{ \left( \frac{dx}{dt} \right)^2 + \left( \frac{dy}{dt} \right)^2 } \, dt \).
Integration Techniques
Integrating a function can sometimes be straightforward, but other times it can be quite challenging, especially when dealing with complex expressions. In the line integral at hand, the integral:\[ \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{4} t^2 \sqrt{1 + 25 t^3} \, dt \]is not simple to solve directly due to the square root of a polynomial. This requires more advanced integration techniques such as:
- Substitution: Replacing parts of the integral with a new variable to simplify the expression.
- Integration by parts: Breaking down products of functions into simpler parts.
- Partial fraction decomposition: For rational functions, expressing them as a sum of simpler fractions.
Numerical Approximation
Numerical approximation methods come to the rescue when functions are too complex to be integrated analytically. These methods provide a way to estimate the value of an integral when an exact solution is challenging to obtain.
- Trapezoidal Rule: Approximates the area under the curve as a series of trapezoids.
- Simpson's Rule: Uses parabolic arcs instead of straight lines to better approximate the curve.
- Numerical integration algorithms: More advanced techniques like Monte Carlo or adaptive quadrature methods can also be used.