I have a problem where I study the brachistochrone curve which is described by the following differential equation:
$$(1+(y')^2)y = k^2 ,$$ where $k$ is the appropriate constant
I have to explain why this is reasonable and where it comes from.
So I started from a cycloid. The coordinates that describe it are:
$$x = R(\theta-\sin\theta)$$
$$y = R(1-\cos\theta)$$
where $\theta = \omega t$, $\omega$ is the angular velocity of a point.
From that I derive the following differential equation
$$(1+(y')^2)y^2 = k^2$$
but I got an extra $^2$ on $y$. Is that ok? The only I can think of to get rid of it is to say that the brachistochrone curve is only a segment of the cycloid so it is ok to have different differential equations and we can get rid of $^2$.
Thanks.
Best Answer
You have $$\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{\sin\theta}{1-\cos\theta}=\frac{2\sin (\frac12\theta)\cos (\frac12\theta)}{2\sin^2 (\frac12\theta)}=\cot(\frac12\theta)$$
Therefore, $$1+(y')^2=1+\cot^2(\frac12\theta)=\csc^2(\frac12\theta)$$ Meanwhile, $$y=R\cdot2\sin^2(\frac12\theta)$$
Hence the result $$(1+(y')^2)y=2R=k^2$$