How would this equation be simplified?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying an equation that describes the reflection of a line off a parabola. The original equation presented is complex, and the poster is curious about how to reduce it to a simpler form as provided by a computational tool.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to simplify a complex equation involving trigonometric identities. Participants suggest using specific trigonometric identities to aid in the simplification process and explore the implications of these identities.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering identities and clarifications. There is a recognition of progress as one participant expresses understanding after receiving guidance, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses frustration with the complexity of the equation and seeks to understand the simplification process without providing a complete solution. The discussion includes specific trigonometric identities and their application to the problem.

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Homework Statement


To satisfy my curiosity, I tried to come up with an equation that describes how a line reflects off a parabola. The equation I came up with is [(tan[2*arctan(-y/50)]*[1000-(y^2)])/100]+y
This equation works wonderfully but its just large and ugly.
The wolfram alpha site for this equation is:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=[(tan[2*arctan(-y/50)]*[1000-(y^2)])/100]+y
It just helps visualize the equation. From there, I noticed that wolfram simplifies this down further to (-1500*y)/([y^2]-2500)
How would I go about simplifying the original equation to the nice one wolfram gives?


Homework Equations


[(tan[2*arctan(-y/50)]*[1000-(y^2)])/100]+y


The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried to look at many trig identities involving the tangent functions but none of them seem to help in this case. I have tried moving things around but everything I try just seems to stop with those ugly tangents still left.
 
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You could use the identity:

tan(2x) = 2tanx/ (1- (tanx)^2 )

and tan(arctan x) = x
 
I tried that but on the bottom, you would still be left with 1-(tanx)^2
 
but remember x = arctan(-y/50).
So, 1-(tanx)^2 = 1 - (tan[arctan(-y/50)]^2 = 1 - y^2/2500
 
Yes! I see it now, thanks for your help :)
 

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