Step 1: Recall the formula for the arc length of a curve y = f(x) over the interval [a, b]. The arc length is given by: . Here, f(x) = ln(sec(x)), and the interval is [0, π/4].
Step 2: Compute the derivative of y = ln(sec(x)). Using the chain rule and the derivative of sec(x), we find: .
Step 3: Substitute into the arc length formula. The integrand becomes: . Recall the trigonometric identity , so the integrand simplifies to .
Step 4: The arc length formula now becomes: . The integral of sec(x) is . Evaluate this expression at the bounds x = 0 and x = π/4.
Step 5: At x = 0, and , so . At x = π/4, and , so . Subtract the results to find the exact length of the curve.