1

Exemple 2.48

The path of a projectile fired with speed V at an angle to the horizontal

given by
1 gx2
y = x tan
2 V 2 cos 2
For fixed V a family of trajectories is obtained for various angles of projection
. Find the condition for a point P with coordinates (X,Y) to lie beyond
the reach of the projectile.
SOLUTION
Given the coordinates (X,Y), the possible angles of launch are given by
the roots of the equation
Y = X tan()

1 gX 2
2 V 2 cos 2

Using the trigonometric identity

1 + tan 2 =

1
cos 2

gives
1 gX 2
(1 + tan 2 )
2 V2
Writing T = tan , this may be rewritten as
Y = X tan

(gX 2 )T 2 (2XV 2 )T + (gX 2 + 2V 2 Y ) = 0

which is a quadratic equation in T. This equation will have two different
real roots if
(2XV 2 )2 > 4(gX 2 )(gX 2 + 2V 2 Y )
but no real roots if
(2XV 2 )2 < 4(gX 2 )(gX 2 + 2V 2 Y )
Thus the point P(X,Y) is safe if
V 4 < g 2 X 2 + 2gV 2 Y
The critical case where the point (X,Y) lies on the curve
V 4 = g 2 x2 + 2gV 2 y
gives us the so-called parabola of safety, with the safety region being that
above this parabola
V2
gx2
y=

2g
2V 2