Solving Ball Hitting Ramp Physics Problem

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The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a ball hitting a ramp, where the angle between the ramp and the horizontal is denoted as theta. The user has set up equations for the horizontal and vertical displacements based on initial velocity and gravitational acceleration, but struggles to derive a numerical solution for theta. Clarification is sought regarding the application of the Pythagorean theorem in relation to the triangle formed by the displacements. The user identifies delta x and delta y as the legs of the triangle, with the range as the hypotenuse. Assistance is requested to correctly apply these concepts to solve for theta.
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http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/5267/physicsproblem3aq.jpg

This is my problem.


I called the angle between ramp and horizontal theta.

Then, i formed a rectangle between V0 and the ramp, and found the angle between the ramp and V0 is also theta.


Then, i repositioned my coordinate system, so that the x-axis is parallel to the ramp's hypotenuse.


Then, i modeled:
(delta) x = V0cos(theta)* t + 1/2 g sin(theta) * t^2
(delta) y = V0sin(theta) * t + 1/2 g cos(theta) * t^2

and i plugged it into the pythagorean theorem.

when i solved for theta, i don't get a pure number, so i know its wrong.

need major help :cry:
 
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How did you "plut it into the pythagorean theorem"? What right triangle did you use? What is the hypotenuse, legs?
 
the triangle legs was delta x and delta y, and the range was the hypotenuse
 
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