An inspection robot follows the centerline \(y=f(x)\) of a pipe, where \(x\) and \(y\) are measured in meters. Engineers estimate the following slopes.
<table><tr><td>\(x\)</td><td>\(0\)</td><td>\(1\)</td><td>\(3\)</td><td>\(5\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(f'(x)\)</td><td>\(0\)</td><td>\(\frac34\)</td><td>\(0\)</td><td>\(\frac43\)</td></tr></table>
a) Find the corresponding values of \(g(x)=\sqrt{1+[f'(x)]^2}\).
b) Apply the trapezoidal rule to \(g\) on the unequal subintervals to estimate the pipe length.
c) State the unit and interpret the estimate.
Hints
- Convert each measured slope into an arc-length density before using the trapezoidal rule.
- Use the actual width of each unequal subinterval.
- The accumulated quantity is a physical length in meters.
Solution
1. The arc-length-density values are \(g(0)=1\), \(g(1)=\frac54\), \(g(3)=1\), and \(g(5)=\frac53\).
2. On \([0,1]\), the trapezoidal contribution is \(\frac12(1)\left(1+\frac54\right)=\frac98\).
3. On \([1,3]\), the contribution is \(\frac12(2)\left(\frac54+1\right)=\frac94\).
4. On \([3,5]\), the contribution is \(\frac12(2)\left(1+\frac53\right)=\frac83\).
5. The estimated length is \(\frac98+\frac94+\frac83=\frac{145}{24}\approx6.04\,\text{m}\).
Answer
a) \(1,\ \frac54,\ 1,\ \frac53\)
b) \(\frac{145}{24}\approx6.04\)
c) The estimated pipe-centerline length is \(6.04\,\text{m}\).