How to Find the Minimum Angle Value Involving Two Variables and Constraints?

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To find the minimum angle value involving two variables, the discussion focuses on the relationship between angles θ1 and θ2 under specific constraints. The problem requires finding a minimum for θ defined as θ = 2θ1 - 4θ2 + 180, with θ1 and θ2 both less than 90 degrees and θ1 greater than θ2. Participants suggest using the method of Lagrange multipliers to handle the constraints effectively, as traditional derivative methods become complex with two variables. The relationship sin(θ1) = n sin(θ2) is also highlighted as a key equation to simplify the problem. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for clarity in the problem's requirements and the appropriate mathematical techniques to solve it.
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Homework Statement
Find the minimum angle value ##\theta## such that:

##\theta##= 2 ##\theta_1## - 4 ##\theta_2## + 180

##\theta_1## and ##\theta_2## < 90 , ##\theta_1## > ##\theta_2##

##\sin\theta_1=n \sin\theta_2##
Relevant Equations
n/a
I tried to do it by derivative but there are two variables, so I don't know how to proceed. Does anyone know how I can solve it?

Remembering that you don't need to find the value of ##\theta##. I just need to find a relationship between ##\theta_1## and ##\theta_2##
 
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I'm confused. The first line says to find a value of ##\theta##. Then at the end you say you don't need to figure out what ##\theta## is. What exactly do you need to solve for?
 
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Office_Shredder said:
I'm confused. The first line says to find a value of ##\theta##. Then at the end you say you don't need to figure out what ##\theta## is. What exactly do you need to solve for?

I found an answer here in my book that says so that ##\theta## it is minimal

##sin\theta_1 = \sqrt{\frac{4-n^2}{3}}##

So how do i get to this
 
A13235378 said:
Homework Statement:: Find the minimum angle value ##\theta## such that:

##\theta##= 2 ##\theta_1## - 4 ##\theta_2## + 180

##\theta_1## and ##\theta_2## < 90 , ##\theta_1## > ##\theta_2##

##\sin\theta_1=n \sin\theta_2##
Relevant Equations:: n/a

I tried to do it by derivative but there are two variables, so I don't know how to proceed. Does anyone know how I can solve it?

Remembering that you don't need to find the value of ##\theta##. I just need to find a relationship between ##\theta_1## and ##\theta_2##
I suspect that the actual wording of the problem is something like "Find the minimum value of ##2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2 + 180##" subject to the constraints given.
I haven't worked the problem, but I would start with this:
##\sin(2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2 + 180) = -\sin(2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2) = \dots##
From there I would use the identity for the sine of a difference of angles; i.e., ##\sin(A - B) = \sin(A)\cos(B) - \sin(B)\cos(A)##.
One of the constraints is ##\sin(\theta_1) = n\sin(\theta_2)##, so that could be used to simplify things in the expression we started with.
I haven't worked this through, but what I've described is how I would approach the problem.
 
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Mark44 said:
I suspect that the actual wording of the problem is something like "Find the minimum value of ##2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2 + 180##" subject to the constraints given.
I haven't worked the problem, but I would start with this:
##\sin(2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2 + 180) = -\sin(2\theta_2 - 4\theta_2) = \dots##
I tried it, but found the method of Lagrange multipliers simpler.
 
A13235378 said:
Homework Statement:: Find the minimum angle value ##\theta## such that:

##\theta##= 2 ##\theta_1## - 4 ##\theta_2## + 180

##\theta_1## and ##\theta_2## < 90 , ##\theta_1## > ##\theta_2##

##\sin\theta_1=n \sin\theta_2##
Relevant Equations:: n/a

I tried to do it by derivative but there are two variables, so I don't know how to proceed. Does anyone know how I can solve it?
You have rwo minimize a two-variable function θ(θ1,θ2). What is the condition that a two-variable function has a local minimum or maximum? How to handle a comstraint? Have you learned the method of Lagrange mulriplier?
 

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