Saturday, October 25, 2025

Casio fx-991CW: Arc of a Quadratic Curve

Casio fx-991CW: Arc of a Quadratic Curve



All screen shots will be taken with the https://www.classpad.app/ website.


Introduction


We are given three points: (x1, y1), (x2, y2), and (x3, y3) which are connected to a quadratic curve:


y(x) = a + b * x + c * x^2


with it’s derivative:

y’(x) = b + 2 * c * x


We assume that all three x-values are unique, therefore x1 ≠ x2, x2 ≠ x3, and x1 ≠ x3.


The arc length is the integral: ∫( √(1 + (b + 2 * c * x)^2 dx, min(x), max(x))


In curve fitting, if we only have three points, the quadratic curve will fit all three points.



Procedure


We can do the entire calculation in the Statistics app of the fx-991CW.


1. Go to the Statistics app by pressing [ Home ], selecting Statistics.

2. Enter the three points. If you need to, you can clear the lists by selecting Tools > Edit > Delete All.

3. Press [OK] (or [EXE] ), select Statistics Calc, y = a + b * x + c * x^2, and then press [OK] (or [EXE]) again. The Statistics Calc will allow us to make calculations using the statistics variables.

4. Calculate the integral:

( √(1 + (b + 2 * c * x)^2), min(x), max(x))


∫: Catalog > Func Analysis > Integration

b: Catalog > Statistics > Regression > b

c: Catalog > Statistics > Regression > c

min(x): Catalog > Statistics > Regression > Min/Max > min(x)

max(x): Catalog > Statistics > Regression > Min/Max > min(x)


Let’s walk through an example:


Points: (0,0), (5,4), (7,2)

Arc length: 9.97139451


You can see the procedure through the screen shots below:





Quadratic Curve:



Eddie


All original content copyright, © 2011-2025. Edward Shore. Unauthorized use and/or unauthorized distribution for commercial purposes without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited. This blog entry may be distributed for noncommercial purposes, provided that full credit is given to the author.


Casio fx-991CW: Arc of a Quadratic Curve

Casio fx-991CW: Arc of a Quadratic Curve All screen shots will be taken with the https://www.classpad.app/ website. Introduc...