Chapter 8: Problem 73
Find the length of the curve $$y=\ln \left(1-x^{2}\right), 0 \leq x \leq \frac{1}{2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The length of the curve is \( \ln\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\right) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Formula for Arc Length
The formula to find the length of a curve defined by \( y = f(x) \) from \( x = a \) to \( x = b \) is given by \[ L = \int_a^b \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2} \, dx. \]For the given curve \( y = \ln(1 - x^2) \), this will be the formula we'll use to find the arc length between \( x = 0 \) and \( x = \frac{1}{2} \).
02
Differentiate the Function
To apply the arc length formula, we need \( \frac{dy}{dx} \). Differentiate \( y = \ln(1 - x^2) \) with respect to \( x \). Using the chain rule, \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{1-x^2} \cdot (-2x) = \frac{-2x}{1-x^2}. \)
03
Substitute into the Arc Length Formula
Substitute \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{-2x}{1-x^2} \) into the arc length formula:\[ L = \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}} \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{-2x}{1-x^2}\right)^2} \, dx. \]
04
Simplify the Integrand
Simplify the expression under the square root:\[ \left(\frac{-2x}{1-x^2}\right)^2 = \frac{4x^2}{(1-x^2)^2}. \]Thus, the integrand becomes:\[ \sqrt{1 + \frac{4x^2}{(1-x^2)^2}}. \]
05
Simplify Further
Rewrite this expression by finding a common denominator:\[ \frac{(1-x^2)^2 + 4x^2}{(1-x^2)^2} = \frac{1-2x^2+x^4+4x^2}{(1-x^2)^2} = \frac{1+2x^2+x^4}{(1-x^2)^2} = \frac{(1+x^2)^2}{(1-x^2)^2}. \]This simplifies the square root to:\[ \sqrt{\frac{(1+x^2)^2}{(1-x^2)^2}} = \frac{1+x^2}{1-x^2}. \]
06
Evaluate the Integral
Substituting back into the integral, we have \[ L = \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{1+x^2}{1-x^2} \, dx. \]This integral can be solved by means of partial fraction decomposition or a substitution.
07
Solve the Integral
Notice that \( \frac{1+x^2}{1-x^2} \) can be rewritten as:\[ \frac{1+x^2}{1-x^2} = \frac{1}{1-x^2} + \frac{x^2}{1-x^2}. \]This allows us to integrate each part separately:\[ \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{1}{1-x^2} \, dx + \int_0^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{x^2}{1-x^2} \, dx. \]Using a \( u \)-substitution or by recognizing standard forms and evaluating the integrals, we find that this results in a logarithmic function.
08
Calculate the Definite Integral
Solving both integrals from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = \frac{1}{2} \): both expressions simplify due to symmetry and standard integral tables, leading to:\[ L = \ln\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\right). \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chain Rule Differentiation
The chain rule is a crucial technique in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. When a function is composed of an outer function that operates on an inner function, we need to differentiate both. Here’s how it works:
Let's see this in practice: Given the function, \( y = \ln(1-x^2) \), the outer function is \( \ln(u) \) where \( u = 1-x^2 \).
The derivative of \( \ln(u) \) is \( \frac{1}{u} \) and the derivative of \( 1-x^2 \) is \( -2x \).
So, applying the chain rule:\[ \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{1-x^2} \cdot (-2x) = \frac{-2x}{1-x^2} \]This chain rule application gets us the derivative needed to calculate the arc length.
- First, identify the outer and inner functions.
- Differentially calculate the derivative of the outer function, keeping the inner function unchanged initially.
- Next, multiply it by the derivative of the inner function.
Let's see this in practice: Given the function, \( y = \ln(1-x^2) \), the outer function is \( \ln(u) \) where \( u = 1-x^2 \).
The derivative of \( \ln(u) \) is \( \frac{1}{u} \) and the derivative of \( 1-x^2 \) is \( -2x \).
So, applying the chain rule:\[ \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{1-x^2} \cdot (-2x) = \frac{-2x}{1-x^2} \]This chain rule application gets us the derivative needed to calculate the arc length.
Logarithmic Function
Logarithmic functions, such as \( y = \ln(x) \), are the inverse of exponential functions. Working with logarithms lets us transform multiplicative processes into additive ones, simplifying many algebraic manipulations.
A crucial property is:
In our exercise, the function \( y = \ln(1-x^2) \) involves a composite logarithmic function. Using the chain rule, we decouple its components for differentiation. Understanding such functions is key in calculus due to their unique properties and usefulness in real-world applications.
A crucial property is:
- Natural logarithm, \( \ln(x) \), only applies to positive numbers.
- The derivative of \( \ln(x) \) is \( \frac{1}{x} \).
In our exercise, the function \( y = \ln(1-x^2) \) involves a composite logarithmic function. Using the chain rule, we decouple its components for differentiation. Understanding such functions is key in calculus due to their unique properties and usefulness in real-world applications.
Definite Integrals
Definite integrals calculate the area under a curve from one point to another, providing a total value beyond mere function evaluation. The notation \( \int_a^b f(x) \, dx \) denotes the integral of \( f(x) \) from \( a \) to \( b \).
Important aspects include:
In our problem, the function under the integral involves not just \( x \), but also the derivative of \( y \) in a complex expression. We simplify this expression, allowing us to compute its definite integral from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = \frac{1}{2} \).
The ultimate result can simplify greatly using properties of integrals.
Important aspects include:
- The integral will be evaluated within the specified limits \( a \) and \( b \).
- It yields a numerical value that represents accumulated sums continuously over the range.
In our problem, the function under the integral involves not just \( x \), but also the derivative of \( y \) in a complex expression. We simplify this expression, allowing us to compute its definite integral from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = \frac{1}{2} \).
The ultimate result can simplify greatly using properties of integrals.
Substitution Method
The substitution method, also known as \( u \)-substitution, simplifies complex integrals by changing variables. It is similar to the reverse of the chain rule used in differentiation. Here's how you apply it:
In our exercise, substitution assists in tackling expressions like \( \frac{x^2}{1-x^2} \). By recognizing parts of the expression that fit known integral forms or simplifications, we can perform the integration more easily and transform it back into \( x \) afterward. This approach often simplifies complex integrals into solvable forms.
- Choose a substitute variable \( u \) in the place of a complicating function of \( x \).
- Find \( du \), the differential of \( u \), in terms of \( dx \).
- Replace all instances of the original variable and differential \( dx \) with \( u \) and \( du \).
- Perform integration with respect to \( u \), then substitute back the original variable.
In our exercise, substitution assists in tackling expressions like \( \frac{x^2}{1-x^2} \). By recognizing parts of the expression that fit known integral forms or simplifications, we can perform the integration more easily and transform it back into \( x \) afterward. This approach often simplifies complex integrals into solvable forms.