Exact Answers? (edited)

Hello, Professor, this is ********** in your MAT 267 MWF class. In question 1 of section 10.8 on the "Test 1 Review," it asks us to compute the length of a curve. To solve, I set up an integral and then plugged the integral into my calculator's integral solver to get a numerical answer (28.73). However, the answer key lists the answer as (1/27)(85^(3/2)-8), which computes to approximately 28.73. My question is, on the exam if I had skipped the step of doing a u-substitution to solve the integral by hand and instead set up the initial integral for arc length, plugged it in to a calculator, and given a numerical answer, would I be deducted points?

Sincerely,

***************

It depends on the question.  If the question asks for an exact answer, you would not get full credit.  If the question just asks for an answer you can use your calculator.

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Pardon me, reading your new post I found that under "arc length" you specify we need an exact answer (no calculator answer).

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No, I said it depends on the way the question is worded.