Intense Logarithmic Diferentiation Question

[vexon]

Homework Statement

Hey guys, this is my first post and of course first question to ask of calculus



Alright well I had this test and we had this very difficult question that I could not solve, it was in the hardest section.



The question is as follows:

A projectile thrown over level ground, at an angle x to the ground, has a range R given by R = (v^2 / g)(sin2x), where v is the initial speed, in meters per second, and g = 9.8m/s^2. Determine the angle of proection x for which the range is maximum.

Homework Equations

So I began to isolate for v^2 and then use log differentiation.



R(g) = v^2(sin2x)

v^2 = Rg / sin2x

The Attempt at a Solution

R = (v^2 / g)(sin2x)

R = ((v^2)(sin2x) / g)

ln R = ln v^2 + ln Sin2x - ln g

dR / dx = [(1 / v^2) + (1 / sin2x) - (1 / g)] (v^2(sinx) / g)



So I am pretty sure that derrivative is right but as of this i am clueless on what to do. Any help is really appreciated, even a guideline so I could figure out the rest myself. Thanks.

 

[Dick]

Welcome to the forums, vexon. You are making this problem much harder than it is. You don't need to take a log. And your differentiation is not correct. You have to use the chain rule. You just want to find dR/dx and set it equal to 0. What is the derivative of sin(2x)?

 

[vexon]

the derivative of sin2x is cos2x(2) = 2cos2x
but we were informed that log differentiation ln was to be used ?
But I'm still stuck. Could you help me further

 

[vexon]

oh i think i see it,
so since v and g are constants you don't differentiate them
therefore,

dR/dx = (v^2/g)(2cos2x)
and then
0 = v^2/g(2cos2x)
so in order to make the equation equal 0 the angle has to be 30 degrees is that correct ?
would this be the right answer?

 

[Dick]

The only thing that could be zero is cos(2x). And I don't think that happens at 30 degrees.