9/14/21, 9:37 AM 6.

2 Trigonometric Functions: Unit Circle Approach-John Hodgson

Student: John Hodgson

Instructor: Barker Tammy
Assignment: 6.2 Trigonometric
Date: 09/14/21 Course: Math 127 Fall 2021 MW 2:00pm Functions: Unit Circle Approach

An object is fired at an angle θ to the horizontal with an initial speed of v0 feet per second. Ignoring air​resistance, the length of
2
v0 π − 2θ π
the​projectile's path is given by ​L(θ​) = sin θ − (cos θ)2 • ln tan where 0 < θ < . Complete parts​(a) through​
32 4 2
(c).

π π π
(a) Find the length of the​object's path for angles θ = ​, ​, and if the initial velocity is 135 feet per second.
6 4 3

Substitute the given values of v0 and θ into the formula for ​L(θ​) and evaluate the result.

π
Begin with angle θ = . Substitute the given values of v0 and θ into the formula for ​L(θ​).
6

2 π −2
π (135)2 π π 6
L = sin − cos • ln tan
6 32 6 6 4

Evaluate the​result, rounding to the nearest tenth.

2 π −2
(135)2 π π 6
sin − cos • ln tan = 519.4
32 6 6 4

π
Repeat this process with θ = ​, rounding to the nearest tenth.
4

2 π −2
(135)2 π π 4
sin − cos • ln tan = 653.7
32 4 4 4

π
Repeat this process with θ = ​, rounding to the nearest tenth.
3

2 2 π −2
(135) π π 3
sin − cos • ln tan = 680.7
32 3 3 4

π π π
Thus, the lengths of the​object's path for angles θ = ​, ​, and if the initial velocity is 135 feet per second are 519.4​, 653.7​,
6 4 3
and 680.7 ​feet, respectively.

(b) Using a graphing​utility, determine the angle required for the object to have a path length of 590 feet if the initial velocity is
135 feet per second.

Graph the function ​L(θ​), graph the desired​height, and then use the graphing utility to find where the two graphs intersect.

2 π − 2x
135
Graph y = sin x − (cos x)2 • ln tan and y = 590 on the same graph using a graphing utility set to​radians,
32 4
and then use the graphing​utility's intersection functionality to find all values of x where the length function equals 590​, rounding
to the nearest thousandth.

x = 0.635​, 1.444

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9/14/21, 9:37 AM 6.2 Trigonometric Functions: Unit Circle Approach-John Hodgson
Thus, the angles required for the object to have a path length of 590 feet if the initial velocity is 135 feet per second are
θ = 0.635 and θ = 1.444.

(c) What angle will result in the longest​path? How does this angle compare to the angle that results in the longest​range? (The
range R of the​object, that​is, the horizontal distance that the projectile​travels, is found by using the function
2
v 0 sin (2θ)
R(θ​) = ​, where g ≈ 32.2 feet per second per​second.)
g

2 π − 2x
135
Graph y = sin x − (cos x)2 • ln tan using a graphing utility set to​radians, and then use the graphing​
32 4
utility's maximum functionality to find the value of x where the length function is​maximized, rounding to the nearest thousandth.

x = 0.986

2
135 sin (2x)
Graph y = using a graphing utility set to radians, and then use the graphing​utility's maximum functionality to find
32.2
the value of x where the length function is​maximized, rounding to the nearest thousandth.

x = 0.785

So the angle that will result in the longest path is θ = 0.986 and the angle that results in the longest range is θ = 0.785. Compare
the two angles.

This angle that will result in the longest path is larger than the angle that results in the longest range.

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