MathDB
Putnam 1958 February B6

Source: Putnam 1958 February

July 19, 2022
Putnamfunctionvectorintegrationphysics

Problem Statement

A projectile moves in a resisting medium. The resisting force is a function of the velocity and is directed along the velocity vector. The equation x=f(t)x=f(t) (where f(t)f(t) is not constant) gives the horizontal distance in terms of the time tt. Show that the vertical distance yy is given by y=gf(t)dtf(t)+gf(t)f(t)dt+Af(t)+By=-gf(t) \int \frac{dt}{f'(t)} + g \int \frac{f(t)}{f'(t)} \, dt +Af(t)+B where AA and BB are constants and gg is the acceleration due to gravity.