Difference between revisions of "Arclength"
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| − | '''Arclength''' is the [[mathematics|mathematical]] length of a curve. The length can be | + | '''Arclength''' is the [[mathematics|mathematical]] length of a curve. |
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| + | The length can be approximated by selecting a finite number of points along the curve and connecting the points with straight lines. The sum of the line segments can give a lower estimate for the length of the arc. The more points used, the closer the approximation to the curve. Technically, the arclength is the [[supremum]] of all such sums. | ||
[[category: mathematics]] | [[category: mathematics]] | ||
Revision as of 22:32, May 15, 2007
Arclength is the mathematical length of a curve.
The length can be approximated by selecting a finite number of points along the curve and connecting the points with straight lines. The sum of the line segments can give a lower estimate for the length of the arc. The more points used, the closer the approximation to the curve. Technically, the arclength is the supremum of all such sums.