Point-based methods for estimating the length of a parametric curve (Q2503024)

Computing the arc length of a parametric curve is a basic problem in geometric modelling and computer graphics, and has been treated in various ways. The authors study a general method for estimating the length of a parametric curve using only samples of points, and continue their investigations [IMA J. Numer. Anal. 26, No. 1, 25-33 (2006; Zbl 1095.41006), BIT 45, No. 4, 679-694 (2005; Zbl 1095.65011)]. They show that by making a special choice of points, namely, the Gauss-Lobatto nodes, they get higher orders of approximation, similar to the behaviour of Gauss quadrature, and derive some explicit examples.