# Thread: Finding the are of the curve

1. ## Finding the are of the curve

Find length of the curve
y=ln(cosx) {x,0,pi/2}

I am stuck and I dont know how to integrate sqrt(sec^2).

My Work:

2. Originally Posted by racewithferrari
Find length of the curve
y=ln(cosx) {x,0,pi/2}

I am stuck and I dont know how to integrate sqrt(sec^2).

My Work:
$\sqrt{sec^2{x}} = |\sec{x}|$

since the limits of integration are in quad I, you can drop the absolute value.

further, note that ...

$\int \sec{x} \, dx = \ln|\sec{x} + \tan{x}| + C$

3. I do not get it about dropping the absolute value.
I know what the integral of sqrt(sec^2) is . But I know dont know how I will solve it comes to Exams.

4. you say this in your original post ...

I am stuck and I dont know how to integrate sqrt(sec^2).
then you say this in a subsequent post ...

I know what the integral of sqrt(sec^2) is. But I know dont know how I will solve it comes to Exams.
pardon me if I do not understand your difficulty.

here is the arclength calculation ...

$
\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} \sec{x} \, dx
$

$\left[\ln(\sec{x} + \tan{x})\right]_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}}$

$
\left[\ln\left(\sec{\frac{\pi}{3}} + \tan{\frac{\pi}{3}}\right)\right] - \left[\ln\left(\sec{0} + \tan{0}\right)\right]
$

$
\left[\ln\left(2 + \sqrt{3}\right)\right] - \left[\ln\left(1+0\right)\right]
$

$
\ln(2 + \sqrt{3})
$