Question: Find the entire arc length of the curve $r=2a \cos^3(\frac{\theta}{3})$
My attempt: Given, $r = 2a \cos^3(\frac{\theta}{3})$
Using chain rule while differentiating with respect to $\theta$,
$ \displaystyle \frac{dr}{dθ} = \frac{d}{d\theta} (2a \cos^3 \frac{\theta}{3})$
= 2a * d / dθ [cos^3(θ/3)
= 2a * 3 cos^2(θ/3) * d/dθ [cos(θ/3)]
= 6a cos^3(θ/3) * [-sin(θ/3)] * d/dθ [θ/3]
= 6a cos^3(θ/3) * [-sin(θ/3)] * 1/3
= -2a*cos^2(θ/3)*sin(θ/3)
Now, As Tom K mentioned in his comment,
$ \cos(3π + \theta) = - \cos \theta$
$(\cos (3 π + \theta), \sin(3 π + \theta)) = - (\cos \theta, \sin\theta)$
This means values of x and y repeat every $3 \pi$.
Now, for the arc length $L$, integrate $ \displaystyle \sqrt {r^2 + \bigg(\frac{dr}{d\theta}\bigg)^2} \ d\theta \ $ with $ \ \theta \in (0,3\pi)$.
(I have slove this far.Now,what should i d0.Seeking help from seniors)