Need help for a projectile problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving a basketball launched at a 45-degree angle, aiming to determine the initial velocity required to reach a basket positioned at a horizontal distance of 4 meters and a vertical height of 0.8 meters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations of motion for projectile motion, including the relationships between horizontal and vertical components. There are attempts to derive the initial velocity using algebraic manipulation of the equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, including setting initial conditions and combining equations. There is recognition of algebraic difficulties faced by the original poster, and some participants express a desire for further clarification on specific mathematical concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to their prior knowledge, such as not being familiar with certain mathematical identities or simplifications used in projectile motion problems.

mad
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Hello..
There is a projectile problem that I can't seem to resolve.. I have tried it for more than 30min now and can't find out how to do it.. I got an exam in 2 days so would someone please help me and tell me how to do this exercice:

A basket-ball is launched at an angle of 45 degres (it is on the ground). The basket is at an horizontal distance of 4m and a vertical distance of 0,8m. What is the initial velocity (Vo) required to reach the basket?

.. sorry for my english this is translated from french.. here is what I tried to do but I know its not good..

http://img39.exs.cx/img39/4460/gdg.jpg

thank you
 
Last edited:
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First, set [itex]y_0 = 0[/tex] because they gave the height of the hoop relative to the starting height.<br /> <br /> You should be able to combine your first two equations to give y as a function of x and when you solve that equation for [itex]v_0[/itex] you will find<br /> [tex]v_0 = \sqrt \frac {g x^2}{x-y}[/tex]<br /> which actually works out to a nice round number in your problem![/itex]
 
Tide said:
First, set [itex]y_0 = 0[/tex] because they gave the height of the hoop relative to the starting height.<br /> <br /> You should be able to combine your first two equations to give y as a function of x and when you solve that equation for [itex]v_0[/itex] you will find<br /> [tex]v_0 = \sqrt \frac {g x^2}{x-y}[/tex]<br /> which actually works out to a nice round number in your problem![/itex]
[itex] <br /> Thanks a lot.. but would you explain me how you got that formula and what is wrong with what I did so I can learn to not do it again? <br /> <br /> Thank you very much for your time[/itex]
 
Since the launch angle is 45 degrees
[tex]y = \frac {v_0 t}{\sqrt 2} - \frac {1}{2} g t^2[/tex]
[tex]x = \frac {v_0 t}{\sqrt 2}[/tex]
Solve the second equation for t and substitute into the first:
[tex]y = x - \frac {g x^2}{v_0^2}[/tex]
from which my earlier equation follows.
 
P.s.

As to what you did wrong I think you just got bogged down in your algebra.
 
Last edited:
Tide said:
Since the launch angle is 45 degrees
[tex]y = \frac {v_0 t}{\sqrt 2} - \frac {1}{2} g t^2[/tex]
[tex]x = \frac {v_0 t}{\sqrt 2}[/tex]
Solve the second equation for t and substitute into the first:
[tex]y = x - \frac {g x^2}{v_0^2}[/tex]
from which my earlier equation follows.


I feel very dumb for asking this.. but where does [tex]{\sqrt 2}[/tex] come from?

I know that X=Vxo*t which gives X=Vo * Cos45* t
and Y= Yo +Vyo*t - 1/2 *g * t^2

but why do you put a [tex]{\sqrt 2}[/tex] ?

Thanks very much for your time
 
[tex]\cos 45^\circ=\sin 45^\circ=\frac{1}{\sqrt 2}=\frac{\sqrt 2}{2}[/tex]
 
YES! I finally got it! I was doing it alright but I just messed up with my algebra like you said.. except you gave me a much simpler way. I just couldn't use the [tex]{\sqrt 2}[/tex] because my teacher never told use about that.

Also, when do I have to use this: 2 sin A * cos A = Sin 2A ? In what type of problems is this used?
thanks again
 
mad said:
YES! I finally got it! I was doing it alright but I just messed up with my algebra like you said.. except you gave me a much simpler way. I just couldn't use the [tex]{\sqrt 2}[/tex] because my teacher never told use about that.

Also, when do I have to use this: 2 sin A * cos A = Sin 2A ? In what type of problems is this used?
thanks again

The double angle shows up in trajectory type problems when you try to calculate the range of a projectile. We didn't have to invoke it for the problem you posed.
 
  • #10
Tide said:
The double angle shows up in trajectory type problems when you try to calculate the range of a projectile. We didn't have to invoke it for the problem you posed.


I was doing another problem and I had to use this. It was
(9.8 * 53) / 2* 87^2 = sinX* cosX

so I did this:
(9.8 * 53)/ 87^2 = 2*sinX*cosX
-->
(9.8 * 53)/ 87^2 = Sin 2X

but I have no idea how to find this.. the teacher never talked about it. Ill try to find out on the internet. I just want to thank you again for all those replies and help.
 

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