Complete the solution of the brachistochrone problem begun in section 2.

2 and show that the desired curve is a cycloid

with a cusp at the initial point at which the particle is released.
Functional we want to extremize is arclength
2 2
dx dy + divided by velocity 2gy ,

2 2
2 2
2 1 1
1 1
( , ; ) 0
2 2
2 (1 )
ds x dy x d x
t f x x y
v gy dy gy
gy x
| |
+ +
A = = = = |
|
+
\ .
} }
[I.1]
This leads to the integral,

2
2 2 2
2 (1 )
(1 ) ( )
2 1
y
y a
a y
a
gy x y
x x x x x y dy
ga a y
+
= = + = = =

}
[I.2]
Hereon, a k . Use the change of variables
2 1
1
2
sin ( ) 2sin
y
k
y k | |

= ,

2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2
sin ( ) sin ( )
( ) ( sin ( )) sin( ) cos( ) sin ( )
sin ( ) cos ( )
y k
x y dy d k k d k d
k y k k
| |
| | | |
| |
| | = = = =

} } } }
[I.3]
Half-angle formula--
/2 /2
2 2 0
1 1
2 2 4 4
sin ( ) ( ) ( 2 ) (2cos 2)
e e
e e e
| |
| | |
|

= = + =
i i
i i
i
, making the integral [I.3] into,

1 1 1
0 0 2 2 2
( ) (1 cos ) ( sin ) ( sin ) x y k d k C k C | | | | | | = = + = +
}
[I.4]
Even if we reverse the change of variables (using
/2 /2 2 2 2
2 2 2
sin( ) Im( ) cos sin 1 2sin
x x
x x x
x e e = = =
i i
), you get a
transcendental equation
1
1
0 2
( ) (2sin (1 2 ))
y y
k k
x y k x

= + which you cant invert to get y(x). You must settle for a
parametric solution. The parameter is | as in the change of variables, and you get,

2
1 1 1
0 0 0 2 2 2
( ) ( sin ) ( ) sin ( ) (1 sin ) x k x y y y | | | | | | = + = = [I.5]
oopsoff by something
Show, also, that if the particle is projected with an initial kinetic energy
2
1
0 2
mv that the brachistochrone is still a cycloid
passing through the two points with a cusp at a height z above the initial point given by
2
0
2 v gz = .