Projectile Motion: Solving for Range at Various Launch Angles

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ama
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Homework Statement


A shot-putter throws the shot with an initial speed of 4.0 m/s from a height of 4.5 ft above the ground. Calculate the range of the shot for each of the following launch angles.
a. 20 degrees
b. 30 degrees
c. 40 degrees
Vo=4
yo=4.5

Homework Equations


y = yo + Vo*sinθ*t - 1/2*g*t^2.
x = Vo*cosθ*t.

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried solving for the time in the first equation. I was careful to put in the height 4.5 for yo since it specifies that in the problem. I then tried to plug the time value into the second value. Then I repeated it for the other angles. Here is an example of what i did.
y=(4.5)+4(sin20)(t)-(1/2)(9.81)(t^(2))
y=4.5+1.36808t-4.9t^(2)
t=1.1081
x=4(cos20)(1.1081)
x=4.16509
For 30
4.1011499
For 40
3.8483
Yet for some reason these answers are wrong. Why?
 
on Phys.org
ama said:
I was careful to put in the height 4.5 for yo since it specifies that in the problem.
Note that the initial height was given in feet.
 
welcome to pf!

hi ama! welcome to pf! :smile:

(try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)
ama said:
… from a height of 4.5 ft

y=(4.5)+4(sin20)(t)-(1/2)(9.81)(t^(2))

erm :redface:

feet! :biggrin:
 
lol. I am so really new to physics.