Exploring Arclength of a curve - Simple version
This applet explores the integral used to find arclength of a curve by comparing it to a poligonal approximation,
It is worthwhile to try the applet with a variety of curves and partitions.
Start with y=3x/4 where it is easy to find the length by non-callculus ways.
Next try y=sqrt(4-x^2) from -sqrt(2) to sqrt(2). This is a quater circle of radius pi. The length should be pi.
Then try with arbitrary curves.