Calc 2 Lecture Notes Section 9.

3 Page 1 of 3
Section 9.3: Arc Length and Surface Area in Parametric Equations
Big idea: The arc length of a parametrically defined curve and the lateral surface area of a solid
of revolution formed by rotating a parametrically defined curve can be calculated using slight
modifications to the formulas we already use for these quantities.
Big skill: You should be able to calculate the arc length and lateral surface area of the solid of
revolution of any curve defined parametrically, using a calculator or winplot for a numerical
answer when necessary.
Theorem 3.1: Arc Length for a Parametrically Defined Curve.
If a curve is defined parametrically by
( )
( )
x x t
y y t

'

for a t b, and x and y are continuous on

[a, b], and the curve does not intersect itself (except at a possibly finite number of points), then
the arc length s of the curve is given by:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
2 2
b b
a a
dx dy
s x t y t dt dt
dt dt
_ _
+ +

, ,

Notice that since
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
v t x t y t + , ( )
b
a
s v t dt

, which makes sense and is a good

way to remember the formula, since speed time = distance, so the formula is just telling us to
add up all the little distances ds. (This is not a proof of the formula, since t may not represent
time)
Practice:
1. Find the arc length of the Scrambler Ride equations over one period:
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2cos sin 2
2sin cos 2
x t t t
y t t t
+

'
+

Calc 2 Lecture Notes Section 9.3 Page 2 of 3

2. Find the arc length of the Lissajous figure defined by
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
cos 2
sin 7
x t t
y t t

'

. Note that these

equations were analyzed in Homework #26 from section 9.1, #15. We have to be careful,
because the arc length you would measure from the graph is not the same answer you get
if you integrate over the entire period of the graph.
3. Find the arc length of the path traced by the midpoint of an eight foot ladder as its feet
slide away from the wall.
Calc 2 Lecture Notes Section 9.3 Page 3 of 3
Lateral Surface Area of a Solid of Revolution:
( ) ( ) 2 radius arc length
b
a
A dt

Before parametric equations, for a curve defined by y = f(x) rotated about the x-axis:
( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 1
d
c
A f x f x dx +

For a curve defined by parametric equations rotated about the x-axis:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
2
b
a
A y t x t y t dt +

For a curve defined by parametric equations rotated about the line y = c:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
2
b
a
A y t c x t y t dt +

For a curve defined by parametric equations rotated about the line x = d:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
2
b
a
A x t d x t y t dt +

Practice:
1. Find the lateral surface area of the Scrambler Ride equations
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2cos sin 2
2sin cos 2
x t t t
y t t t
+

'
+

rotated about the y-axis for

5 3
6 2
t

.