- #1
Grand
- 76
- 0
Homework Statement
The problem requests to make stationary the integral:
[tex]\int_{\phi_1}^{\phi_2} \sqrt{\theta'^2 + sin^2\theta}d\phi[/tex]
where [tex]\theta'=\frac{d\theta}{d\phi}[/tex]
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I know how to start with the problem, and with two different methods I get the curve defined by:
[tex]\int \frac{cd\theta}{sin\theta \sqrt{sin^2\theta-c^2}}= \int d\phi[/tex]
which I can't solve. I've been trying since last night, Wolfram alpha gives some nasty expression involving arctan, but I need it in the from arccos(tan(stuff)) in order to get the answer provided.