This is a solution to the problem I gave to the class in a recent test.
A robot follows a path generated by a quadratic interpolant from x=2 to x=4. The interpolant passes through three consecutive data points (2,4), (3,9) and (4,16) and is given by y=x2. Find the best estimate of the length of the interpolant path from x=2 to x=4.
The solution is given as an audio pdf (also called pencast – need Adobe X reader or higher). Three methods are shown. I expected one to use Method 2 or Method 3.
http://www.eng.usf.edu/~kaw/class/EML3041/livescribe/length_of_curve.pdf
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