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Multiple Choice
Find the exact length of the curve for .
A
The exact length is
B
The exact length is
C
The exact length is
D
The exact length is
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Recall the formula for the length of a curve. The length of a curve y = f(x) from x = a to x = b is given by the integral L = ∫[a to b] √(1 + (dy/dx)^2) dx.
Step 2: Compute the derivative of y = (1/4)x^2 - (1/2) ln(x). Differentiate term by term: dy/dx = (1/2)x - (1/2)(1/x).
Step 3: Square the derivative to find (dy/dx)^2. This gives (dy/dx)^2 = [(1/2)x - (1/2)(1/x)]^2. Expand and simplify this expression.
Step 4: Substitute (dy/dx)^2 into the formula for the curve length. The integral becomes L = ∫[1 to 4] √(1 + [(1/2)x - (1/2)(1/x)]^2) dx.
Step 5: Evaluate the integral using appropriate techniques (e.g., substitution or numerical methods) to find the exact length of the curve. Simplify the result to match the given answer format.