Projectile motion trajectories differing from 45 degrees

AI Thread Summary
In projectile motion, a trajectory at 45 degrees provides the maximum range, but angles differing from 45 degrees by the same amount yield equal ranges. The range formula, R = V^2 * sin(2θ) / g, shows that sin(2θ) is key to this phenomenon. When analyzing angles 45 + c and 45 - c, the sine function's properties reveal that sin(90 + c) and sin(90 - c) both simplify to cos(c), confirming equal ranges. The discussion emphasizes understanding the trigonometric identities that support this conclusion. Thus, angles symmetrically positioned around 45 degrees will indeed yield the same range in projectile motion.
bongobl
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Hi guys, I am stuck with a problem here.
First, It is given that for 2-dimensional projectile motion, a trajectory of 45 degrees will yield the greatest range. However, how do I show that angles that differ from 45 degrees by the same amount will yield the same range? For example, the range of a 40 degree angle will equal that of a 50 degree angle?

I know that the range of a projectile as a function of time is given by V^2 * sin(2ø) / g where V is the initial velocity and ø is the angle. I just don't know how to prove that the angle 45 + c will give give the same range as 45 - c, can anyone help me please?
 
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Oh I see,
since sin(α + β) = sin(α)cos(β) + cos(α)sin(β),
and cos(90) = 0, I am left with sin(a)cos(B) in both cases,
thanks for the help!
 
It is cos (c) in both cases. Sin of 90 is 1 and cos (-c)=cos (c).
 
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nasu said:
It is cos (c) in both cases. Sin of 90 is 1 and cos (-c)=cos (c).
But how this answers @bongobl's question?
bongobl said:
I just don't know how to prove that the angle 45 + c will give give the same range as 45 - c,
 
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