Exercise · ZW-ARC-LENGTH-010 · ★★★ Advanced

On the helix \(\mathbf r(t)=\langle\cos t,\sin t,t\rangle\), measured from \(t=0\), for which \(t\) have 6 units of length been traveled?

Choose one option.

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  • A. \(3\sqrt2\)

Explanation

The accumulated length is \(s(t)=\int_0^t\sqrt2\,du=\sqrt2\,t\). If \(s=6\), then \(t=6/\sqrt2=3\sqrt2\).

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Review the concept: Arc length

The arc length of a parametric curve \(\mathbf r(t)\), with \(a\le t\le b\), is the total distance \(L\) traveled along it, measured along the curve itself.

\[L=\int_a^b\lvert\mathbf r'(t)\rvert\,dt\]

More practice problems: arc length

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