Question

For a given initial projectile speed Vo, calculate what launch angle A gives the longest range R. Show your work, don't just quote a number.

Answer 1

The optimal angle of 45° for maximum horizontal range is only valid when initial height is the same as final height. 

In that particular situation, you can prove it like this: 

initial velocity is Vo 
launch angle is α 

initial vertical velocity is 
Vv = Vo×sin(α) 

horizontal velocity is 
Vh = Vo×cos(α) 

total time in the air is the the time it needs to fall back to a height of 0 m, so 
d = v×t + a×t²/2 
where 
d = distance = 0 m 
v = initial vertical velocity = Vv = Vo×sin(α) 
t = time = ? 
a = acceleration by gravity = g (= -9.8 m/s²) 
so 
0 = Vo×sin(α)×t + g×t²/2 
0 = (Vo×sin(α) + g×t/2)×t 
t = 0 (obviously, the projectile is at height 0 m at time = 0s) 
or 
Vo×sin(α) + g×t/2 = 0 
t = -2×Vo×sin(α)/g 

Now look at the horizontal range. 
r = v × t 
where 
r = horizontal range = ? 
v = horizontal velocity = Vh = Vo×cos(α) 
t = time = -2×Vo×sin(α)/g 
so 
r = (Vo×cos(α)) × (-2×Vo×sin(α)/g) 
r = -(Vo)²×sin(2α)/g 

To find the extreme values of r (minimum or maximum) with variable α, you must find the first derivative of r with respect to α, and set it equal to 0. 

dr/dα = d[-(Vo)²×sin(2α)/g] / dα 
dr/dα = -(Vo)²/g × d[sin(2α)] / dα 
dr/dα = -(Vo)²/g × cos(2α) × d(2α) / dα 
dr/dα = -2 × (Vo)² × cos(2α) / g 

Vo and g are constants ≠ 0, so the only way for dr/dα to become 0 is when 
cos(2α) = 0 
2α = 90° 
α = 45°