What is the optimal height for a lamppost to illuminate a circular walkway?

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The optimal height for a lamppost to illuminate a circular walkway with a radius of 20 meters is determined by the formula for illumination intensity, I = [k.sin(theta)] / D^2. To maximize illumination, one must express sin(theta) in terms of D and R, where R is the radius. By setting the derivative of I with respect to D to zero, the relationship h = (I/k)(R/cos(theta))^3 can be derived, indicating the height h of the lamppost is directly influenced by the intensity constant k and the distance D.

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hi, could anyone guide as to how to go about solving this question?
A cicular patch of grass or radius 20m is surrounded by a walkway and a light is placed atop a lamppost at the circle's center. At what height shoud the light be placed to illuminate the walkway most strongly? The intensity of illumination "I" of a surface is given by
I = [k.sin(theta)] / D^2 where is the distance from the light source to the surface and theta is the angle at which light strikes the surface, and k i s a positive constant

pls anyone, just give me a push, i am competely cluess as to where to begin.
thanks!
Monsurat.
 
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Just write [itex]\sin \theta[/itex] in terms of D and R (radius of the circle) and set the derivative of I with respect to D equal to 0, etc.
 
[tex]\textrm{Here goes some hints...}[/tex]

[tex]R = 20 \textrm{ m}[/tex]

[tex]\hline[/tex]

[tex]R = D \cos \theta[/tex]
[tex]h = D \sin \theta = \frac{R}{\cos \theta} \cdot \sin \theta = R \tan \theta[/tex]

[tex]\hline[/tex]

[tex]I = k\cdot \frac{\sin \theta}{D^2}[/tex]
[tex]\sin \theta = \frac{ID^2}{k}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{h}{D} = \frac{ID^2}{k}[/tex]
[tex]h = \frac{ID^3}{k}[/tex]
[tex]h = \frac{I}{k}\left( \frac{R}{\cos \theta} \right)^3[/tex]​

[tex]\textrm{Good luck!}[/tex] :smile:
 

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