Asked by Jed

Consider the curve below.
x = (cos(t))^2
y = cos(t)
0 ≤ t ≤ 6π
(a) Find the distance traveled by a particle with position (x, y) as t varies in the given time interval.
(b) What is the length of the curve?

I have no idea on how to evaluate this integral. I know that for part b you just divide the answer of a by 6 and that would give me the arc length. Any help would be great!

Answers

Answered by Jed
Is it just me overthinking it?
Answered by Steve
nope. Look up arc length for parametric curves.

ds^2 = (dx/dt)^2 + (dy/dt)^2

The distance traveled is the arc length.

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