# The path of crossing a stream

## Homework Statement

A watercraft is crossing the stream to reach the pier. (See attached figure.)

Basically, I have to derive an ordinary differential equation of the path the watercraft travels, which I can then solve using MatLab, etc.
i.e. derive $$\frac{dy}{dx}$$ in terms of $$V_{W}$$, $$V_{B}$$, $$x$$, $$y$$ & $$W$$ only (no trigonometric functions nor $$\beta$$).

## Homework Equations

$$V_{W} =$$ speed of stream
$$V_{B} =$$ craft speed rel. static water
$$W =$$ stream width

At a point (x,y), the ruling equations for the watercraft are:
$$\frac{dy}{dt} = V_{W} - V_{B}sin\beta$$

$$\frac{dx}{dt} = V_{B}cos\beta$$

## The Attempt at a Solution

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{dt} \times \frac{dt}{dx} = \frac{V_{W} - V_{B}sin\beta}{V_{B}cos\beta}$$

I think:
$$W = V_{B}cos\beta.t$$
$$x = cos\beta$$
$$y = sin\beta$$

I know that I have to find an equivalent for $$cos\beta$$ & $$sin\beta$$ but I am perplexed at this moment...

- Thanks

#### Attachments

• 277.1 KB Views: 334

Related Introductory Physics Homework Help News on Phys.org
you haven't told what the question was. Is the goal to arrive at the pier in the shortest time, or is the boat always pointing towards the pier?
If the boat is always pointing towards the pier, you can get sin(beta) and cos(beta) from x, and y. You have to chose an origin for the coordinates.

Sorry, yes the watercraft does always point towards the pier (throughout the journey).
Please see the attached figure for a more representative diagram.
What do you mean by choosing an origin?

Thanks

#### Attachments

• 277.1 KB Views: 296
Last edited:
You have to chose where the point with x=0, y=0 is. From what you've written so far this isn't clear.
What you've done so far is ok, but you still need sin(beta) and cos(beta)
I think drawing a triangle with the following sides will help:
1. a line from the boat to the pier
2. a line going through the pier in the direction of the y-axis
3. and a line going through the boat in the direction of the x-axis

Do you mean like this? (See attached figure.)
Wouldn't the initial position be (0,0)?

Thanks

#### Attachments

• 277.1 KB Views: 315
Do you mean like this? (See attached figure.)
just draw the boat somewhere in the middle of the stream at position (x,y)

Wouldn't the initial position be (0,0)?
It may be a bit easier to use the pier as (0,0). of course you only have to make the substitution u = y + w to get from one to the other.

Thanks

#### Attachments

• 294 KB Views: 296
I think this diagram is more accurate than my previous one. (See attached figure)

#### Attachments

• 294 KB Views: 300
I think this diagram is more accurate than my previous one. (See attached figure)
finding cos(theta) and sin(theta) as a function of x and y should be easy from this rightanled triangle, with all the sides known.

Hi,

was the hypotenuse correct?
Because if I did it via Pythagoras, it yields an equation which I do not think is equal.
$$\sqrt{(W-x)^{2}+y^{2}}$$

Hi,

was the hypotenuse correct?
Because if I did it via Pythagoras, it yields an equation which I do not think is equal.
$$\sqrt{(W-x)^{2}+y^{2}}$$
Yes. What do you mean with an equation that is not equal?