Finding initial speed given two angles and a distance

AI Thread Summary
A child runs down an 11-degree hill and jumps at a 16-degree angle, landing 1.2 meters down the hill. The problem involves using projectile motion equations to determine the child's initial speed. The vertical motion equation is used to express the height in terms of time and initial velocity, leading to a complex equation that needs to be simplified. Participants in the discussion suggest substituting values into the equations to isolate the initial speed, Vo. The challenge lies in correctly isolating Vo without encountering negative values under the square root.
heyhowsitgoin
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Homework Statement



A child runs down a 11 degree hill and then suddenly jumps upward at a 16degree angle above the horizontal and lands 1.2 m down the hill as measured along the hill

What was the child's initial speed?

Homework Equations



Projectile motion

x = Vx*t

y = yo + Vyo*t - 1/2gt^2

The Attempt at a Solution



tried solving for time t from the vertical motion equation y = yo+ Vyo*t - 1/2gt^2 and plug it in the
x = vx*t..but it doesn't work
 
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Hi heyhowsitgoin
Welcome to PF.
If you draw the figure of inclined plane and the landing of the child, you can see that
y = 1.2*sin11.
t = x/vx = 1.2*cos11/vo*cos16
vyo = vo*sin16.
Substitute these values in the equation and solve for vo.
 
Hi thanks for the reply. Which equation are you referring to solve for vo?
 
heyhowsitgoin said:
Hi thanks for the reply. Which equation are you referring to solve for vo?

y = yo+ Vyo*t - 1/2gt^2
 
hrmm ok

so i end up with 0.229 = 0 + Vo*sin16 (1.2*cos11 / Vo*cos16) - 1/2(9.8)(1.2*cos11/Vo*cos16)^2

is this right? not sure how to solve for Vo at this point.
 
It is right. Now simplify everything. And solve for Vo.
 
Hello,

I was looking at this question and was not able to isolate Vo in the final equation. I ended up with a negative number under a square root...
Any suggestions on how to correctly isolate Vo?
 
heyhowsitgoin said:
hrmm ok

so i end up with 0.229 = 0 + Vo*sin16 (1.2*cos11 / Vo*cos16) - 1/2(9.8)(1.2*cos11/Vo*cos16)^2

is this right? not sure how to solve for Vo at this point.
In the equation final position y is zero, and initial position yo is 0.229
 
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