Finding value for time from equation (DIFFICULT)

  • Thread starter Thread starter andrey21
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Time Value
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the time it takes for a skydiver to hit the ground using a specific equation involving logarithmic and exponential functions. The equation presented is complex and involves a constant of integration.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss attempts to solve the equation for time, with some suggesting transformations to simplify the problem. Questions arise regarding the role of the constant of integration and the necessity of specific values for constants in the equation.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with participants sharing their derivations and questioning the correctness of their approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for initial conditions and the implications of the constant of integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the initial condition y(0) = 4000 is relevant to the problem but was not included in the original post. There is also uncertainty about whether a specific numerical solution can be derived from the given equation.

andrey21
Messages
475
Reaction score
0
Find the time takes skydiver to hit the ground using th following:

y = (t/SQRT(10) - 2ln(1+e^(t/SQRT(10)) - C) x 20SQRT10



Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Have tried many times to find value for t with little success help needed!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Jamiey1988 said:
Find the time takes skydiver to hit the ground using th following:

y = (t/SQRT(10) - 2ln(1+e^(t/SQRT(10)) - C) x 20SQRT10



Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Have tried many times to find value for t with little success help needed!
So you want to solve
[tex]20\sqrt{10}(\frac{t}{\sqrt{10}}- 2ln(1+ e^{\frac{t}{\sqrt{10}}})- C)= 0[/tex]

I would start by doing two things: divide both sides by [itex]20\sqrt{10}[/itex] and replace [itex]t/\sqrt{10}[/itex] by "u". Now the equation is
[tex]u- 2ln(1+ e^u)- C= 0[/tex]

Of course, you can't get a specific numerical result without a specic value for C. Even then I suspect that there will be no solution in terms of elementary functions.
 
Okay well I derived the solution stated from the following:

y' = 20SQRT10 x (1-e^(t/SQRT10))/(1+e(t/SQRT10))

Where C is a constant of integration, is this correct? Becasue the question looks as if a specific numerical value must be found.
 
Anymore comments help needed please!
 
Jamiey1988 said:
Okay well I derived the solution stated from the following:

y' = 20SQRT10 x (1-e^(t/SQRT10))/(1+e(t/SQRT10))

Where C is a constant of integration, is this correct? Becasue the question looks as if a specific numerical value must be found.
Why would you take the derivative?

The skydiver will be on the ground at the time when y = 0 in the equation in your first post. That's what HallsOfIvy was telling you in his reply. Did you read it?

Since no integration has apparently been done, C is not a constant of integration. Is there any other information in your problem that you haven't posted?
 
Well in order to obtain the equation :

y = (t/SQRT(10) - 2ln(1+e^(t/SQRT(10)) - C) x 20SQRT10

I had to use separation of variables and integration on the following:

y' = 20SQRT10 x (1-e^(t/SQRT10))/(1+e(t/SQRT10))

Which is the reason for the constant of integration C, try it yourself and see if you come up with the same solution as me. Only other information is that at y(0) = 4000.

Thanks
 
Jamiey1988 said:
Well in order to obtain the equation :

y = (t/SQRT(10) - 2ln(1+e^(t/SQRT(10)) - C) x 20SQRT10

I had to use separation of variables and integration on the following:

y' = 20SQRT10 x (1-e^(t/SQRT10))/(1+e(t/SQRT10))

Which is the reason for the constant of integration C, try it yourself and see if you come up with the same solution as me. Only other information is that at y(0) = 4000.

Thanks
There's a reason for the three parts in the problem template, of which the first is the complete problem statement and all pertinent data. As you presented the problem, there was no indication that you were solving a differential equation. You should also have included the initial condition, y(0) = 4000, since that has to be used to find C.
 
Okay that was my fault but have you had a go at finding a sloution from the equation stated? I am just curious as I spent a lot of time on this question and want to know if correct or not?
 
I don't have time right now to check your work, but you can do that. Take your solution y(t) and differentiate it. If you don't get 20sqrt(10)(1 -e^(t/sqrt(10))/(1 + e^(t/sqrt(10)), your solution is incorrect.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K