Math 2011-Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (Edited by Dr.

Hon-Ming HO)
Practice Exercises 6: Arc-length, Functions of Several Variables

We once learnt arc-length of a curve in rectangular and polar coordinate systems in the course of Calculus II (Math 1014). Let us
revisit these two concepts. Do you still remember those two arc-length formulas?

𝒚 𝒚

𝑪 (𝑥 , 𝑓(𝑥)) 𝑪 ⃑ (𝒕) =< 𝒙(𝒕) , 𝒚(𝒕) >

𝒓
𝑓(𝑥)

𝒙 𝒙
𝑎 𝑥 𝑏 Enter into vectorial perspective.
The 2nd (vectorial) sense of the object 𝑪 :

The underlying sense of the object 𝑪 : The object 𝐶 above can be treated as the curve traced

The object 𝐶 above is the graph of function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) out by some vector functions. There are infinitely many

which precisely consists of all points of form (𝑥 , 𝑓(𝑥)) , choices for these vector functions, for instance

where 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏 . 1) 𝑟1 (𝑡) =< 𝑡 , 𝑓(𝑡) > where 𝑎 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑏 ,

⃑⃑⃑
𝑎 𝑏
2) 𝑟2 (𝑡) =< 2𝑡 , 𝑓(2𝑡) > where
⃑⃑⃑ ≤𝑡≤ ,
2 2
𝑎−1
3) 𝑟3 (𝑡) =< 𝜋𝑡 + 1 , 𝑓(𝜋𝑡 + 1) > where
⃑⃑⃑ ≤𝑡≤
𝜋
𝑏−1
,
𝜋

4) ⋮
If we choose the 1st vector function, then the arc-length of
𝐶 is given by

𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =𝑏
𝑑𝑟⃑⃑⃑1 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =𝑏
𝑑𝑓 2
∫ | | 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ √1 + ( ) 𝑑𝑡 .
𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 =𝑎 𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 =𝑎 𝑑𝑡
Other vector functions listed above produce the same arc-
length integral. Try to do it by yourself.

𝜃 = 90° 𝜃 = 90°
polar point
𝑅⃑ (𝜃) =< 𝑓(𝜃) cos 𝜃 , 𝑓(𝜃) sin 𝜃 >
(𝑟, 𝜃) = (𝑓(𝜃), 𝜃)

𝜃 𝜃
𝜃 = 0° 𝜃 = 0°

Curve 𝐶
Curve 𝐶
𝜃 = 270° 𝜃 = 270°
Enter into vectorial perspective.

The 2nd (vectorial) sense of the object 𝑪 :

The underlying sense of object 𝑪 :
The object 𝐶 above can be treated as the curve traced
The object 𝐶 above is the polar curve produced by the
out by some vector functions. One natural choice of these
moving polar point (𝑟, 𝜃) = (𝑓(𝜃), 𝜃) as the angular
vector functions is given by
coordinate 𝜃 varies, where the radial coordinate 𝑟 is
𝑅⃑ (𝜃) = |𝑅⃑ (𝜃)| < cos 𝜃 , sin 𝜃 > .
controlled by 𝜃 , i.e. 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) is a function of 𝜃 . The
Note that the length of the vector 𝑅⃑ (𝜃) is given by |𝑅⃑ (𝜃)|
radial coordinate 𝑟 represents the directed distance
which is equal to the distance between the polar point and
between the polar point and the pole (the original).
the pole, i.e. equal to 𝑓(𝜃) . Calculation shows that the
arc-length of the polar curve is given by

𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑑𝑅⃑ 𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑑𝑟 2
∫ | | 𝑑𝜃 = ∫ √𝑟 2 + ( ) 𝑑𝜃 ,
𝜃𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝜃 𝜃𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝜃
where 𝑟 = 𝑓(𝜃) .

Practice Exercises 6-page 1

Exercise 1:

⃑
Find the length of the curve 𝑟(𝑡) = (√2 𝑡)𝑖 + (√2 𝑡)𝑗 + (1 − 𝑡 2 )𝑘 from point (0 , 0 ,1) to point (√2 , √2 , 0) .

Solution to Exercise 1:

𝑑𝑟
1) Things to do: Compute | | , the magnitude of the velocity function. Express it in terms of the parameter 𝑡 . In this example,
𝑑𝑡
we obtain
𝑑𝑟 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 2 2
| ⃑ | = |(√2)𝑖 + (√2)𝑗 + (−2𝑡)𝑘
| = | (√2 𝑡) 𝑖 + (√2 𝑡) 𝑗 + (1 − 𝑡 2 ) 𝑘 ⃑ | = √(√2) + (√2) + (−2𝑡)2 ,
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
= √4 + 4𝑡 2 = 2√1 + 𝑡 2 .
2) Things to do: Find the upper limit 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 and lower limit 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 of the arc-length integral. How? Solve the following two vector
equations:
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 ,
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 .
In this example, the two vector equations are as follows. We solve them for the unknown parameters 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 and 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 .
𝑟 (𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) =< 0 ,0 ,1 > ⟹ 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0,
𝑟 (𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) =< √2 , √2 , 0 > ⟹ 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1 .
3) Things to do: Perform integration by using the techniques learnt in Calculus II (Math 1014), for instance, the method of
substitution, integration by parts, trigonometric identities, trigonometric substitutions and partial fraction decomposition. In
this example, the arc-length of the curve from the initial point to the terminal point is given by
𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =1 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =1 𝑡=1
𝑑𝑟 𝑡 1
𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = ∫ | | 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 2√1 + 𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡 = 2 [ √1 + 𝑡 2 + ln (𝑡 + √1 + 𝑡 2 )] = √2 + ln(1 + √2) .
𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 =0 𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛=0 2 2 𝑡=0

Exercise 2:

Find the length of the curve whose parametrization is given as follows:

𝜋
a. ⃑ where 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤
Vector function 𝑟 (𝑡) = (cos(4𝑡))𝑖 + (sin(4𝑡))𝑗 + (4𝑡)𝑘 .
2
𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
⃑ where 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 4𝜋 .
b. Vector function 𝑟 (𝑡) = (cos( )) 𝑖 + (sin( )) 𝑗 + ( ) 𝑘
2 2 2
c. ⃑ where −2𝜋 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 0 .
Vector function 𝑟 (𝑡) = (cos 𝑡)𝑖 − (sin 𝑡)𝑗 − 𝑡𝑘

Solution to Exercise 2a. :

𝑑𝑟
1) Things to do: Compute | | , the magnitude of the velocity function. Express it in terms of the parameter 𝑡 . In this example,
𝑑𝑡
we obtain
𝑑𝑟 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
| ⃑ | = |(−4 sin(4𝑡))𝑖 + (4 cos(4𝑡))𝑗 + (4)𝑘
| = | (cos(4𝑡)) 𝑖 + (sin(4𝑡)) 𝑗 + (4𝑡) 𝑘 ⃑|
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
= √(−4 sin(4𝑡))2 + (4 cos(4𝑡))2 + (4)2 ,
= √16 + 16 = 4√2 .
2) Things to do: Find the upper limit 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 and lower limit 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 of the arc-length integral. How? Solve the following two vector
equations:
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 ,
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 .
𝜋
In this example, we are already given 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 and 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 which are 0 and respectively.
2
3) Things to do: Perform integration by using the techniques learnt in Calculus II (Math 1014), for instance, the method of
substitution, integration by parts, trigonometric identities, trigonometric substitutions and partial fraction decomposition. In
this example, the arc-length of the curve from the initial point to the terminal point is given by
𝜋
𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =1 𝜋
𝑑𝑟 2 𝑡=
𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = ∫ | | 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 4√2 𝑑𝑡 = [4√2 𝑡]𝑡=02 = 2𝜋√2 .
𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛=0 𝑑𝑡 0

Similar calculation in part b and c. We find that the lengths of the curves in part b. and part c. are identically the same as 2𝜋√2 .

Practice Exercises 6-page 2

What conclusion can we draw from the calculations in the three parts above? Hint: all three
curves lie on the same vertical cylinder (which cylinder?). Besides, what are their initial points
and terminal points?
Exercise 3:

We are given that vertical cylinder 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 and plane 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 intersect with each other. We know that the intersection
is a distorted circle, an ellipse.

−1 √3 3
a) Find a vector function 𝑟 (𝑡) which traces out the intersection curve mentioned above from point ( , , ) to point
2 2 2
1 √3 1
(0 ,1 ,1) and then to point ( , , ) . You are also required to state the range of the parameter 𝑡 clearly.
2 2 2
b) Show that the velocity vector of the vector function 𝑟(𝑡) in part a) always lies parallel to the plane 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 .
−1 √3 3 1 √3 1
c) Write a definite integral for the length of the intersection curve above from point ( , , ) to point ( , , ) . Do not
2 2 2 2 2 2
try to evaluate the arc-length integral because it is non-elementary.

Solution to Exercise 3a:

There are more than one vector functions tracing out the intersection curve of the vertical cylinder and the given plane from point
−1 √3 3 1 √3 1
( , , ) to point (0 ,1 ,1) and then to point ( , , ) .
2 2 2 2 2 2

I. The 1st proposed vector function:

i) Things to do: use the variable 𝑥 as the parameter of the desired vector function 𝑟(𝑡) . Set 𝑥 = 𝑡 . Use the two
given equations to express 𝑦 and 𝑧 in terms of 𝑡 . In this example, by using equations 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 and 𝑥 + 𝑧 =
1 , we obtain
𝑥 = 𝑡
𝑦 = √1 − 𝑡 2
𝑧 = 1−𝑡
We choose 𝑦 = √1 − 𝑡 instead of 𝑦 = −√1 − 𝑡 2 . Why? Can you explain the reason behind?
2

ii) Things to do: Use the parametric equations obtained at step i) to construct the desired vector function. In this
example, we use the parametric equations above as the 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧-component functions of the vector function below.
𝑟 (𝑡) =< 𝑡 , √1 − 𝑡 2 ,1 − 𝑡 > .
iii) Things to do: Find the range of the parameter 𝑡 . Solve the following two vector equations.
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 ,
𝑟(𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 .
−1 √3 3 1 √3 1
In this example, point ( , , ) is the initial point of the curve and point ( , , ) is the terminal point of the
2 2 2 2 2 2
−1 1
curve. Thus we must have 𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 = and 𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 = .
2 2
−1 1
Conclusion: The following vector function 𝑟 (𝑡) =< 𝑡 , √1 − 𝑡 2 ,1 − 𝑡 > , where ≤𝑡≤ , traces out the intersection
2 2
−1 √3 3 1 √3 1
curve from point ( , , ) to point (0 ,1 ,1) and then to point ( , , ).
2 2 2 2 2 2

II. The 2nd proposed vector function:

Hint: use sin 𝑡 and cos 𝑡 .

Solution to Exercise 3b:

𝑑𝑟
How do we know that the velocity vector is parallel to the plane 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 ? The concept of being parallel involves angle.
𝑑𝑡

1) Things to do: Find a normal vector to the given plane. Such a normal vector can be easily found by looking at the coefficients
of 𝑥 , 𝑦 , 𝑧 of the equation 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 ⟺ (1)𝑥 + (0)𝑦 + (1)𝑧 = 1 . Therefore, a normal vector to the plane is given by
𝑛⃑ =< 1 ,0 ,1 > .
2) Things to do: Compute the angle between the velocity vector and the normal vector in 1). In this example, we have
𝑑𝑟 −𝑡
⦁ 𝑛⃑ =< 1 , , −1 > ⦁ < 1 ,0 ,1 >= 0 .
𝑑𝑡 √1 − 𝑡 2

Practice Exercises 6-page 3

 𝑑𝑟
Conclusion: the velocity vector is always perpendicular to any normal direction of the plane 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 . In other words, the
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑟
velocity vector is parallel to the plane 𝑥 + 𝑧 = 1 .
𝑑𝑡

Solution to Exercise 3c:

−1 √3 3 1 √3 1
The length of the intersection curve above from point ( , , ) to point ( , , ) is given by
2 2 2 2 2 2

1 𝟐𝝅
𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2 − 𝑡2
2 𝟑
∫ √ 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ √𝟏 + (𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽) 𝟐 𝒅𝜽 which is non − elementary.
−1 1 − 𝑡 2 𝝅
𝑡𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
2 𝟑
Why?

Remark: If you use the 2nd proposed vector function mentioned on page 3, then you will get the second arc-length integral above.
Try to do it.

Functions of Several Variables

Exercise 4:

In the following parts, (a) find the function’s domain, (b) find the function’s range, (c) sketch and describe by words some level
curves of the given functions below.

A. 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦 − 𝑥 ,
B. 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = √𝑦 − 𝑥 ,
C. 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑦 2 ,
2 +𝑦 2 )
D. 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑒 −(𝑥 ,
𝑦
E. 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) . Be careful, this is the arctangent function. It is not the reciprocal of tangent function.
𝑥

Solution to Exercise 4:

Definition: Given a real-valued function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) of two

Input
variables. The domain of 𝒇 is defined to be the largest set data
Output real number
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
of points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane which can result in real- (𝑥, 𝑦)
𝑓
valued outputs when feeding them to the function 𝑓 . The
range of 𝒇 is defined to be the set of all values 𝑧 which are
produced by 𝑓 when feeding various points (𝑥, 𝑦) to 𝑓 .
Domain precisely consists of all Range precisely consists of all
inputs (𝑥, 𝑦) that can produce output real numbers 𝑧 when
The figure on the right side is a visual analogy (視覺性類比)
real outputs under the action of various input data are fed to 𝑓 .
for the concepts of domain and range of 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) . 𝑓.

Definition:
The set of points in the 𝑥𝑦-plane where function
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) has a constant value 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑐
is called the level curve of 𝒇 at height 𝒛 = 𝒄 .

Practice Exercises 6-page 4

 Domain of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
Function 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒚 − 𝒙 :
There are no restriction about the
values of the 𝑥-component and the 𝑦-
component of the input data (𝑥, 𝑦)
because no matter what values of 𝑥
and 𝑦 are, the function must produce
real outputs.
Domain: all points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦-
plane.
Range of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) Level curves of the function 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)
𝒚
The range of 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is the set of
all real numbers.
𝒙
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒(𝑓) ∶ −∞ < 𝑧 < ∞ .
All level curves of 𝑓 are straight line with
the same slope 1 . Lines above are 5 special
cases of level curves at heights 𝑧 = 2 , 𝑧 =
1 , 𝑧 = 0 , 𝑧 = −1 , 𝑧 = −2 respectively.

Function 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = √𝒚 − 𝒙 :
𝒚
In order to have real-valued outputs,
the expression 𝒚−𝒙 above is
required to be non-negative, i.e. we
require 𝒙
𝒚−𝒙≥ 𝟎. 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒(𝑓) ∶ 0 ≤ 𝑧 < ∞ .

Domain: all points (𝑥, 𝑦) satisfying

𝑦≥𝑥.
All level curves of 𝑓 are straight lines with
the same slope 1 , all of them must lie
above level curve 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 0 . No level
curves lie below the level curve 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 0 .
Why?

Function 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟗𝒚𝟐 :

𝒚
There are no restriction about the
values of the 𝑥-component and the 𝑦- 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑦 2 = 1

component of the input data (𝑥, 𝑦)

because no matter what values of 𝑥
and 𝑦 are, the function must produce
real outputs.
Domain: all points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦-
plane.
𝒙
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒(𝑓) ∶ 0 ≤ 𝑧 < ∞ .
When 𝑧 = 0 , the level curve of 𝑓 reduces
to the origin. When 𝑧 = 𝑐 > 0 , the level
curves of 𝑓 are distorted circles, i.e.
ellipses.

𝟐 +𝒚𝟐 )
Function 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒆−(𝒙 :
There are no restriction about the
values of the 𝑥-component and the 𝑦-

Practice Exercises 6-page 5

component of the input data (𝑥, 𝑦)
because no matter what values of 𝑥
and 𝑦 are, the function must produce
real outputs.
Domain: all points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦- 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒(𝑓) ∶ 0 < 𝑧 ≤ 1 .
plane.

Level curves are the origin itself 1 = 𝑧 =

2 +𝑦 2 )
𝑒 −(𝑥 and circles − ln 𝑐 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
where 𝑐 > 0 .
𝒚
Function 𝒛 = 𝒇(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 ( ) : 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑥 where 𝑐
𝒙 𝒚
is any real number.
In order to have real-valued outputs,
𝑦
the expression is required to be a
𝑥

real number. So we must require that

𝑥≠0 . 𝒙
𝜋 𝜋
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒(𝑓) ∶ − < 𝑧 < .
Domain: all points (𝑥, 𝑦) in the 𝑥𝑦- 2 2
plane except all points on the 𝑦-axis.
Level curves are straight lines of the form
𝑦 = 𝑐𝑥 where 𝑐 is any real number and
𝑥≠0 .

Practice Exercises 6-page 6