Next we want to figure out the length of a parametrized curve. As with
all integrals, we break it into pieces, estimate each piece, add the
pieces together, and take a limit.
In the following video we derive the formulas for these quantities,
compute the
arclength of a cycloid, and compute the surface area of the associated surface
of revolution.
Summary: If we have a parametrized curve running from time t1 to
time t2, then
The arc length of the curve is
L=∫t2t1√(dxdt)2+(dydt)2dt,
If we rotate the curve around the x axis we get a
surface, called a surface of revolution. The area of this surface is
∫t2t12πy√(dxdt)2+(dydt)2dt.