# Simplify this function

• November 13th 2012, 03:06 PM
jeremy5561
Simplify this function
I have an equation that looks like this
$v=v_0 sqrt(1-2gt sin\theta /v_0+(gt/v_0)^2)$

Is there any easy way to simplify this? It's almost a perfect square.
• November 14th 2012, 05:52 PM
christianwos
Re: Simplify this function
Well, you can put the quantity under the square root under common denominator v0 so that you will cancel the v0 at the outside and will get [v02-2gtv0sinx+(gt)2]1/2
• November 14th 2012, 06:02 PM
skeeter
Re: Simplify this function
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy5561
I have an equation that looks like this
$v=v_0 sqrt(1-2gt sin\theta /v_0+(gt/v_0)^2)$

Is there any easy way to simplify this? It's almost a perfect square.

have to ask ... is there more to this than meets the eye? in other words, how did this equation come about?
• November 14th 2012, 06:08 PM
jeremy5561
Re: Simplify this function
For a projectile launched with velocity $v_0$ at angle $\theta$, what is the magnitude of the velocity vector at time $t$?

$v_0_x=v_0cos\theta t$
$v_0_y=v_0sin\theta t-gt$

Apply the pythagorean theorem and you'll end up where I am.

Unless I did something wrong. Stayed up till 2 AM doing this stuff.
• November 14th 2012, 06:14 PM
skeeter
Re: Simplify this function
fix your equations ...

$v_x = v_0 \cos{\theta}$

(note there is no $t$ ... velocity in the x-direction remains constant)

$v_y = v_0 \sin{\theta} - gt$

(first term does not have a $t$)
• November 15th 2012, 01:44 PM
jeremy5561
Re: Simplify this function
sorry, am really tired. I did it correctly originally. Don't think it can be simplified further.