WackStr
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Homework Statement
So if +x points downward and +y points rightwards then the functional that needs to be minimized is:
\sqrt{2g}T[y]=\int_{x_0}^{x_1}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{x}}\sqrt{1+\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2}
Homework Equations
I think we just have to use the Euler lagrange equation. The book (Hand and Finch says) the solution is:
y(x)=\sqrt{x(2r-x)}+2r ArcSin\left(\frac{x}{2r}\right)
This is not even a brachistrone curve! Am I missing something?