Caribbean Examination Council

Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate

School Based Assessment
Additional Mathematics
Project A

Year of Examination: 2021

Name of Candidate: Danelia Gordon

Centre: St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School

Centre Number: 100109

Candidate Number:

Teacher: Ms. K. Kelly

 Acknowledgement
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the courage, experience, skill, and

opportunity to conduct this research study and persevere and complete it satisfactorily. This

accomplishment would not have been possible without his blessings.

Secondly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to my brother,

Davaun Gordon, who guided me in completing this study. I take this opportunity to express my

deep sense of gratitude for his insightful support, relentless encouragement, and unparalleled

inspiration, which has sustained my efforts at all stages of this endeavour.

Finally, heartfelt gratitude to my parents and aunt, who helped me accomplish this project and

for their helpful guidance and support. Thank you.

 Table of Contents
Project Title.....................................................................................................................................1
Purpose of Project/ Problem Statement...........................................................................................2
Mathematical Formation..................................................................................................................4
The Problem Solution......................................................................................................................8
Application of Solution..................................................................................................................15
Discussion of Findings..................................................................................................................33
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................35
 Project Title
An investigation to determine the optimum angle and velocity that a basketball player must shoot

a ball to get maximum scores and to determine the maximum height of the ball from ground

level and the time that the ball takes to reach maximum height.

1
 Purpose of Project/ Problem Statement
A Pro- Basketball (NBA) point guard, who is 2.08m tall, will be competing in the Western

Conference Finals in the next two days. In preparation for this game, he practiced shots from

Four (4) different locations on the basketball court: the free-throw line, corner, wing and half-

court line. The times taken for each shot was then recorded. With the height of the basketball

hoop (Height taken from the ground to the top of the hoop) being 3.05m he wants to determine

the optimum velocity and angle he should shoot the ball from to ensure that he scores the most

baskets on game day. He also wants to determine the maximum height of the basketball from

ground level and the time that the basketball will take to reach the maximum height from each

position on the court.

Position on the Court Displacement from Basketball Trajectory Time of the Basketball
Hoop

Free-Throw Line 4.57m 1.05s

Corner 6.70m 1.19s

Wing 7.24m 1.33s

Half-Court Line 14.33m 2.13s

It is assumed that:

● The point-guard practiced on a standard NBA (National Basketball Association) Court.

● The point guard can aim straight.

● Air resistance is negligible

● Gravity is 9.8 m/s2

● The basketball goes directly through the net without hitting the backboard.

2
The purpose of this project is:

A. To calculate the velocity in which the player should throw the ball for each shot in order

to score the most baskets on game day.

B. To calculate the angle at which the player must throw the ball (Launch angle) for each

shot in order to score the most baskets on game day.

C. To calculate the time taken for the basket ball to reach the maximum height from each

position on the court.

D. To calculate the maximum height of the basketball from ground level from each position

on the court.

Figure 1: Projectile Motion of the Basketball

3
 Mathematical Formation
 Displacement- The measure of the distance between the initial position of a body and its

final position in a specified direction.

 Velocity- The rate of change of the displacement of a body with respect to time.

 Height- Displacement between the top and bottom of an object.

 Time- The duration in which an action occurs.

 Acceleration- The rate of change of a body’s velocity in respect to time.

 Angle- the space (usually measured in degrees) between two intersecting lines or surfaces

at or close to the point where they meet.

1 2
1. To prove that the formula s x =u x t+ a t can be transposed to calculate the x-component
2

of the initial velocity.

Where:

 sx is the horizontal displacement

 ux is the initial velocity of the x-component

 t is the trajectory time of the basketball

 a is acceleration

2. To prove that the displacement of the y-component can be calculated using the formula
s y = H−h .
Where:
 sy is the vertical displacement
 H is the height from the ground to the top of the basketball hoop

4
  h is the height of the basketball player

Figure 2
1 2
3. To prove that the equation s y =u y t + a t can be transposed to calculate the y-component
2
of the initial velocity.
Where:
 sy is the vertical displacement
 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component
 t is trajectory time of the basketball
 a is acceleration
4. To show that the initial velocity,│ ⃗
OP │, in which the basketball player shoots the ball is
OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2.
determined by the equation: │ ⃗
Where:
 │⃗
OP │is initial velocity
 ux is the initial velocity of the x-component
 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component

Figure 3
5. To prove that the optimum angle in which the basketball player should shoot from

uy
(launch angle) is determined using equation tanθ= .
ux

Where:

 θ is the optimum angle

 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component

 ux is the initial velocity of the x-component

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. To verify that the differential of the maximum height with respect to time (the velocity at

ⅆ sm 1 2
maximum height), , from the equation sm =u y t+ a t can be used to determine the
ⅆt 2

time that the ball takes to reach the maximum height.

Where:

 sm is the maximum height of the basketball

 u y is the initial velocity of the y-component

 a is acceleration

 t is the time that the ball takes to reach maximum height

ⅆ sm
 differential of the maximum height with respect to time
ⅆt

4.

6
5.

6.

1 2
7. To prove that the equations sm =u y t+ a t and s g=sm +h can be used to determine the
2

maximum height of the ball from ground level.

Where:

 sm is the maximum height of the basketball

 u y is the initial velocity of the y-component

 a is acceleration

 t is the time that the ball takes to reach maximum height

 s g is maximum height of the basketball from ground level

 h is the height of the basketball player

Figure 4

7
 The Problem Solution
1 2
1. To prove that the formula s x =u x t+ a t can be transposed to calculate the initial velocity
2
of the x-component.
Where:
 sx is the horizontal displacement

 ux is the initial velocity of the x-component

 t is the trajectory time of the basketball

 a is acceleration

ASSUMPTION
1 2
s x =u x t+ a t can be transposed to make the initial velocity of the x-component the
2
subject.
PROOF
1 2
s x =u x t+ a t
2
1 2
s x − a t =ux t
2
1
s x − at 2
2
=u x
t
2. To prove that the displacement of the y-component can be calculated using the formula
s y = H−h .
Where:
 sy is the vertical displacement
 H is the height from the ground to the top of the basketball hoop
 h is the height of the basketball player

8
 ASSUMPTION
The vertical displacement can be determined using the formula s y = H−h .
PROOF
The basketball is being released from the players hands at a height, h, to go through the
hoop at a height, H.
Hence to determine the vertical displacement the ball travelled to go through the hoop,
the height of the player must be subtracted from the height from the ground to the top of
the hoop.
Therefore, s y = H−h .
1 2
3. To prove that the equation s y =u y t + a t can be transposed to calculate the y-component
2
of the initial velocity.
Where:
 sy is the vertical displacement
 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component
 t is the trajectory time of the basketball
 a is acceleration
ASSUMPTION

9
 1
s y =u y t + a t 2 can be transposed to make the initial velocity of the y- component the
2

subject.

PROOF

1 2
s y =u y t + a t
2

1
s y − a t 2=u y t
2

1 2
s y− a t
2
=u y
t

1.
2.
3.
4. To show that the initial velocity,│ ⃗
OP │, in which the basketball player shoots the ball is
determined by the equation: │ ⃗
OP │=√ ux +u y .
Where:
 │⃗
OP │ is initial velocity
 ux is the initial velocity of the x-component
 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component

10
 ASSUMPTION

The initial velocity at which the pro-basketball player shoots the ball can be calculated

OP │=√ ux +u y
using the equation: │ ⃗ 2 2

PROOF

The velocity vector (initial velocity),│ ⃗

OP │ , along with its horizontal and vertical

components form a right-hand triangle.

Hence, the Pythagoras Theorem, c 2=a2+ b2 can be used.

∴ │⃗ 2 2
OP │ =u x +u y
2

OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2
∴ │⃗

5. To prove that the optimum angle in which the basketball player should shoot from

opposite
(launch angle) is determined using tanθ= .
adjacent

ASSUMPTION

The optimum angle, θ, in which the basketball player should shoot the basketball from

uy
can be calculated using the equation tan θ= .
ux

Where:

 θ is the optimum angle

 uy is the initial velocity of the y-component

 ux is initial velocity of the x-component

PROOF

The optimum angle, θ, is a fixed acute angle in the right-angle triangle formed from the

initial velocity and its horizontal and vertical components.

11
 opposite
Hence, the trigonometric ratio tanθ= can be used.
adjacent

uy
∴ tanθ=
ux

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. To verify that the differential of the maximum height with respect to time (the velocity at

ⅆ sm 1 2
maximum height), , from the equation sm =u y t+ a t can be used to determine the
ⅆt 2

time that the ball takes to reach the maximum height.

Where:

 sm is the maximum height of the basketball

 u y is the initial velocity of the y-component

 a is acceleration

 t is the time that the ball takes to reach maximum height

ⅆ sm
 is the differential of the maximum height with respect to time
ⅆt

ASSUMPTION

The differential of the maximum height with respect to time (the velocity at maximum

ⅆ sm 1 2
height), , from the equation sm =u y t+ a t can be used to determine the time that the
ⅆt 2

ball takes to reach the maximum height.

12
 PROOF

1 2
The equation sm =u y t+ a t can be differentiated in terms of maximum height with
2

respect to time.

∴
ⅆ sm
ⅆt
1
= u y +2 x a t
2 ( )
The equation above can then be transposed to make the time that the basketball takes to

reach the maximum height, t , the subject.

∴
( ⅆs
ⅆt
−u ) m

=t
y

2 ( 12 xa)
1 2
7. To prove that the equations sm =u y t+ a t and s g=sm +h can be used to determine the
2

maximum height of the ball from ground level.

Where:

 sm is the maximum height of the basketball

 u y is the initial velocity of the y-component

 a is acceleration

 t is the time that the ball takes to reach maximum height

 s g is maximum height of basketball from ground level

13
  h is the height of the basketball player

ASSUMPTION

The maximum height of the ball from ground level can be determined using the equations

1 2
sm =u y t+ a t and s g=sm +h
2

PROOF

The values of the initial velocity of the y-component, u y , acceleration, a, and time that the ball

1 2
takes to reach the maximum height, t, will be substituted in the in the equation sm =u y t+ a t to
2

determine the maximum height of the basketball.

Then, to determine the maximum height of the ball from ground level, sg, the values of the height

of the player, h, and the maximum height of the ball, sm , will be substituted in the equation

s g=sm +h .

Solution for A, B, C and D

OP │=√ ux +u y and at an angle

Thus, the basketball player should shoot the ball at a velocity │ ⃗

tanθ=
uy
in order to score the most baskets on game day. Also, it will take t=
ⅆ sm
ⅆt (+|⃗
OP|
for
)
( )
ux 1
−2 xa
2

the basketball to reach the maximum of s g=sm +h (from ground level).

14
 Application of Solution
Free- Throw Line

a) Calculate the initial velocity of the x-component.

The given values:

 Displacement= 4.57m

 Trajectory Time of the Basketball= 1.05s

 Acceleration = 0 m/s2 (since air resistance is negligible)

1 2
1 2 s x − at
Since ( s x =u x t+ a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 )
2 =u x
t
1 2
4.57− ×0 × ( 1.05 )
2
=u x
1.05
4.35 m/ s=ux (to 2 d.p)
b) Determine the vertical displacement
Since s y = H−h
s y =3.05−2.08
s y =0.97 m
c) Calculate the initial velocity of the y-component.
The given values:
 Displacement = 0.97m
 Trajectory Time of the Basketball = 1.05s
 Acceleration= - 9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)
1
1 2 s y− a t 2
Since ( s y =u y t + a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 ).
2 =u y
t

1 2
0.97− x−9.8×(1.05)
2
=u y
1.05

15
 6.07 m/s=u y (to 2 d.p)

d) Therefore, calculate the initial velocity.

OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2
Since │ ⃗

OP │=√ 4.352 +6.07 2

│⃗

│⃗
OP │=7.47 m/s (to 2 d.p)

e) Hence, determine the optimum angle.

uy
Since tan θ=
ux

6.07
tanθ=
4.35

θ=54.37 º

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f) Calculate the time the basketball takes to reach maximum height.

The given values:

 Velocity of the ball at maximum height= 0 m/s (since the ball is stationary at

maximum height)

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

( ⅆs
−u )
m
( 0−6.07 )
(2 ) =t
y
ⅆ sm 1 ⅆt
Since
ⅆt
= u +2 x a t can be transposed to
y

2
=t
( 12 xa) ( 1
2 x−9.8
2 )

16
 0.62 s (to 2 d.p) = t

g) Calculate the maximum height of the basketball from ground level

Given Values:

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

 Height of player= 2.08m

1 2
Since the Maximum Height of the basketball is sm =u y t+ a t
2

1
sm =6.07 x 0.62+ x−9.8 x 0.622
2

sm = 1.88m (to 2 d.p)

Hence the maximum height of basketball from ground level is s g=sm +h

s g=1.88+2.08

s g=3.96 m

Corner

a) Determine the initial velocity of the x-component

The stated Values:

 Displacement= 6.70m

 Trajectory Time of the Basketball = 1.19s

 Acceleration= 0 m/s2 (since air resistance is negligible)

1 2
1 2 s − at
Seeing that ( s x =u x t + a t ) can be transposed to ( x 2 )
2 =u x
t
Then:
1 2
6.70− x 0 x (1.19)
2
=u x
1.19
∴ u x =5.63 m/s (2 d.p)

17
b) Determine the vertical displacement
Since s y = H−h
s y =3.05−2.08.
s y =0.97 m
c) Solve for the initial velocity of the y-component:
Given that:
 Displacement= 0.97 m
 Trajectory Time of the Basketball= 1.19s
 Acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (the ball is moving upwards hence, against gravity)
1 2
1 2 s y− a t
s =u
Because ( y y t + a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 ).
2 =u y
t

1 2
0.97− x−9.8 x (1.19)
2
=u y
1.19

∴ u y =6.65 m/ s (2 d.p)

d) Thus, determine the initial velocity.

OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2
Given the fact that │ ⃗

OP │=√ 5.63 + 6.65

│⃗
2 2

│⃗
OP │=8.71 m/s (2 d.p)

e) Therefore, evaluate the optimal angle

uy
Since tanθ=
ux

6.65
tanθ=
5.63

∴ θ=49.75 º (2 d.p)

f) Determine the time that the basketball takes to reach maximum height.

The stated values:

18
  Velocity of the ball at maximum height= 0 m/s (since the ball is stationary at

maximum height)

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

( ⅆ sm
−u y ) =t ( 0−6.65 )
Because
ⅆ sm 1
( )
= u y +2 x a t can be transposed to
2
ⅆt
( 1
2 x−9.8 )
=t
ⅆt
2 ( 12 xa) 2

0.68 s (to 2 d.p) = t

g) Determine the maximum height of the basketball from ground level

Stated Values:

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

 Height of player= 2.08m

1 2
Since the Maximum Height of the basketball is sm =u y t+ a t
2

1 2
sm =6.65 x 0.68+ x−9.8 x 0.68
2

sm = 2.26m (to 2 d.p)

Hence the maximum height of basketball from ground level is s g=sm +h

s g=2.26+2.08

s g=4.34 m

Wing

a) Calculate the value of the x-component.

Given values:

 Displacement= 7.24m

 Trajectory Time of the Basketball = 1.33 s

19
  Acceleration= 0 m/s2 (due to air resistance being negligible)

1 2
1 2 s x − at
Since ( s x =u x t+ a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 )
2 =u x
t
1
7.24− x 0 x ¿ ¿
2
5.44 m/s=u x (2 d.p)
b) Determine the vertical displacement.
Since s y = H−h .
s y =3.05−2.08
s y =0.97 m
c) Determine the value of the y-component.
Given Values:
 Displacement= 0.97m
 Trajectory Time of the basketball= 1.33s
 Acceleration= - 9.8 m/s2
1
1 2 s y− a t 2
Seeing that ( s y =u y t + a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 ).
2 =u y
t

1
0.97− x−9.8 x ¿ ¿
2

∴ 7.25 m/s=u y (2 d.p)

d) Hence, calculate the initial velocity
OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2
Since │ ⃗

OP │=√ 5.442 +7.252

│⃗
│⃗
OP │=9.06 m/s (2 d.p)
e) Therefore, determine the optimal angle
uy
Given that tan θ=
ux

7.25
tanθ=
5.44

20
 ∴θ=53.12º (2 d.p)

f) Calculate the time the basketball takes to reach maximum height.

The given values:

 Velocity of the ball at maximum height= 0 m/s (since the ball is stationary at

maximum height)

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

( ⅆs
−u )
m
( 0−7.25 )
(2 ) =t
y
ⅆ sm 1 ⅆt
Seeing that
ⅆt
= u +2 x a t can be transposed to
y

2
=t
( 12 xa) ( 1
2 x−9.8
2 )
0.74 s (to 2 d.p) = t

g) Calculate the maximum height of the basketball from ground level

The Given Values:

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

 Height of player= 2.08m

1 2
Since the Maximum Height of the basketball is sm =u y t+ a t
2

1 2
sm =7.25 x 0.74+ x−9.8 x 0.74
2

sm = 2.68m (to 2 d.p)

Hence the maximum height of basketball from ground level is s g=sm +h

s g=2.68+2.08

s g=4.76 m

Half-Court Line

a) Determine the initial velocity of the x-component.

21
 Known values:

 Displacement= 14.33m

 Trajectory Time of the Basketball = 2.13s

 Acceleration= 0 m/s2 (air resistance is negligible)

1 2
1 2 s x − at
s =u
Given that ( x x t + a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 ).
2 =u x
t

1
14.33− x 0 x (2.13)2
∴ 2 .
=ux
2.13

∴ u x =6.73 m/s (2 d.p)

b) Determine the vertical displacement.

Since s y = H−h .
s y =3.05−2.08.
s y =0.97 m
c) Evaluate the initial velocity of the y-component.

Stated Values:

 Displacement= 0.97m

 Trajectory Time of the Basketball = 2.13s

 Acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (ball opposes gravity)

1 2
1 2 s y− a t
s =u
Given that ( y y t + a t ) can be transposed to ( 2 ).
2 =u y
t

1 2
0.97− x−9.8 x (2.13)
∴ 2
=u y
2.13

∴u y =10.89 m/ s (2 d.p)

d) Thus, calculate the initial velocity.

22
 OP │=√ ux 2 +u y 2
Since │ ⃗

OP │=√ 6.73 +10.89

│⃗
2 2

│⃗
OP │=12.80 m/s

e) Hence, determine the optimal angle.

uy
Since tan θ=
ux

10.89
tanθ=
6.73

θ=58.28º (2 d.p)

f) Calculate the time the basketball takes to reach maximum height.

The given values:

 Velocity of the ball at maximum height= 0 m/s (since the ball is stationary at

maximum height)

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

( ⅆs
−u )
m
( 0−10.89 )
ⅆ sm
(2 ) =t
y
1 ⅆt
Since
ⅆt
= u +2 x a t can be transposed to
y

2 ( )
1
2
=t 1
xa
2 ( 2 x−9.8)
1.11 s (to 2 d.p) = t

g) Calculate the maximum height of the basketball from ground level.

Given Values:

 acceleration= -9.8 m/s2 (since the motion of the ball is opposing gravity)

 Height of player= 2.08m

1 2
Since the Maximum Height of the basketball is sm =u y t+ a t
2

23
 1
sm =10.89 x 1.11+ x−9.8 x 1.112
2

sm = 6.05m (to 2 d.p)

Hence the maximum height of basketball from ground level is s g=sm +h

s g=6.05+2.08

s g=8.13 m

The values of the initial velocity and angle at which the basketball player must shoot the ball as

well as the maximum height of the ball and the time that the ball takes to reach the maximum

height calculated above was proven using the formulas of projectile motion as shown below.

Free- Throw Line

1. The initial velocity of the basketball player can be calculated two ways.

First Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u x =u0 cos θ

Where:

 u xis the velocity in the x-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u x =u0 cos θ was transposed making u0 the subject.

ux
Hence: u0 =
cos θ

4.35
∴ u0 =
cos 54.37

24
∴u0 =7.47 m/s (to 2 d.p)

Second Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u y =u0 sinθ

Where:

 u y is the velocity in the y-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u y =u0 sinθ was transposed making u0 the subject.

uy
Hence u0 =
sin θ

6.07
∴u0 =
sin 54.37

∴u0 =7.47 m/s (to 2 d.p)

2. The time taken to reach the maximum height was calculated.

u0 sinθ
Using the projectile motion formula: t=
g

Where:

 t = time taken for the ball to reach maximum height

 u0 = initial velocity

 g = gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u0 sinθ
Since t=
g

25
 7.47 sin54.37
∴ t=
9.8

∴t=0.62 s

3. The maximum height of the basketball can also be calculated.

2
Using the projectile motion formula: H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

Where:

 H = the maximum height of the basketball

 g= gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

2
Since H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

( 7.47 sin 54.37 )2

∴ H=
2( 9.8)

∴ H=1.88 m (to 2 d.p)

To determine the maximum height from ground level the maximum height of the ball

must be added to the height of the basketball player.

Therefore, maximum height from ground level = 1.88+2.08

= 3.96m

Corner

1. The initial velocity of the basketball player can be calculated two ways.

First Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u x =u0 cos θ

Where:

26
  u xis the velocity in the x-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u x =u0 cos θ was transposed making u0 the subject.

ux
Thus: u0 =
cos θ

5.63
∴ u0 =
cos 49.75

∴u0 =8.71 m/ s (to 2 d.p)

Second Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u y =u0 sinθ

Where:

 u y is the velocity in the y-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u y =u0 sinθ was transposed making u0 the subject.

uy
Since u0 =
sin θ

6.65
∴u0 =
sin 49.75

∴u0 =8.71 m/ s (to 2 d.p)

2. The time taken to reach the maximum height was calculated

u0 sinθ
Using the projectile motion formula: t=
g

Where:

27
  t = time taken for the ball to reach maximum height

 u0 = initial velocity

 g = gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u0 sinθ
Because t=
g

8.71sin 49.75
∴ t=
9.8

∴t=0.68 s

3. The maximum height of the basketball can also be calculated.

2
Using the projectile motion formula: H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

Where:

 H = the maximum height of the basketball

 g= gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

2
Since H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

( 8.71 sin 49.75 )2

∴ H=
2(9.8)

∴ H=2.25m (to 2 d.p)

To determine the maximum height from ground level the maximum height of the ball

must be added to the height of the basketball player.

Therefore, the maximum height from ground level = 2.25+2.08

= 4.33m

28
 WING

1. The initial velocity of the basketball player can be calculated two ways.

First Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u x =u0 cos θ

Where:

 u xis the velocity in the x-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u x =u0 cos θ was transposed making u0 the subject.

ux
Hence: u0 =
cos θ

5.44
∴ u0 =
cos 53.12

∴u0 =9.06 (to 2 d.p)

Second Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u y =u0 sinθ

Where:

 u y is the velocity in the y-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u y =u0 sinθ was transposed making u0 the subject.

uy
Hence: u0 =
sin θ

7.25
∴u0 =
sin 53.12

29
∴u0 =9.06 m/s (to 2 d.p)

2. The time taken to reach the maximum height was calculated.

u0 sinθ
Using the projectile motion formula: t=
g

Where:

 t = time taken for the ball to reach maximum height

 u0 = initial velocity

 g = gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u0 sinθ
Since t=
g

9.06 sin 53.12

∴ t=
9.8

∴t=0.74 s

3. The maximum height of the basketball can also be calculated.

2
Using the projectile motion formula: H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

Where:

 H = the maximum height of the basketball

 g= gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

2
Since H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

( 9.06 sin 53.12 )2

∴ H=
2( 9.8)

30
 ∴ H=2.68m (to 2 d.p)

To determine the maximum height from ground level the maximum height of the ball

must be added to the height of the basketball player.

Therefore, maximum height from ground level = 2.68+2.08

= 4.76m

Half - Court Line

1. The initial velocity of the basketball player can be calculated two ways.

First Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u x =u0 cos θ

Where:

 u xis the velocity in the x-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u x =u0 cos θ was transposed making u0 the subject.

ux
Hence: u0 =
cos θ

6.73
∴ u0 =
cos 58.28

∴u0 =12.80 m/ s (to 2 d.p)

Second Method

Using the projectile motion formula: u y =u0 sinθ

Where:

 u y is the velocity in the y-component

 u0 is the initial velocity

31
  θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u y =u0 sinθ was transposed making u0 the subject.

uy
Hence: u0 =
sin θ

10.89
∴u0 =
sin 58.28

∴u0 =12.80 m/ s (to 2 d.p)

2. The time taken to reach the maximum height was calculated.

u0 sinθ
Using the projectile motion formula: t=
g

Where:

 t = time taken for the ball to reach maximum height

 u0 = initial velocity

 g = gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

u0 sinθ
Since t=
g

12.80 sin58.28
∴ t=
9.8

∴t=1.11 s

3. The maximum height of the basketball can also be calculated.

2
Using the projectile motion formula: H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

Where:

 H = the maximum height of the basketball

32
  g= gravity

 θ is the angle at which the basket player should the ball

2
Since H=
( u 0 sin θ )
2g

( 12.80 sin 58.28 )2

∴ H=
2( 9.8)

∴ H=6.05m (to 2 d.p)

To determine the maximum height from ground level the maximum height of the ball

must be added to the height of the basketball player.

Therefore, maximum height from ground level = 6.05+2.08

= 8.13m

The values of the initial velocity and the angle in which the basketball player should shoot the

ball to gain maximum scores found by using the projectile motion formulas are similar to those

found in the prior investigation. Also, the values of the time that the ball reaches maximum

height and the maximum height of the ball from ground level using the projectile motion formula

is equivalent to the values calculated in the previous investigation. Therefore, it is proven that the

values calculated in this investigation are accurate.

33
 Discussion of Findings
To determine the initial velocity at which the ball must be thrown, │ ⃗
OP │, the initial velocity

of the x-component and y-component of the position vector were first calculated. Firstly, to

1 2
determine the initial velocity of the x-component the formula s x =u x t+ a t was used. Using the
2

1 2
s x − at
formula 2 the initial velocity of the x-component at the Free-Throw Line, Corner,
=u x
t

Wing and Half-Court Line is 4.35 m/ s, 5.63 m/s , 5.44 m/s and 6.73 m/s respectively.

Secondly, the displacement of the y-component was calculated in order to determine the

initial velocity of the y-component. Using the formula s y = H−h the vertical displacement at all

1 2
positions is 0.97 m . With the vertical displacement being determined, the formula s y =u y t + a t
2

1
s y− a t 2
was used to calculate the initial velocity of the y-component. Using the formula 2
=u y
t

the initial velocity of the y-component at the Free-Throw Line, Corner, Wing and Half-Court

Line is 6.07 m/s , 6.65 m/s , 7.25 m/s and 10.89 m/s respectively.

OP │=√ ux +u y was used. It was determined

To calculate the initial velocity the formula │ ⃗ 2 2

that the initial velocity at the Free Throw Line, Corner, Wing and Half- Court line is 7.47 m/s ,

uy
8.71 m/s , 9.06 m/ s and 12.80 m/s . Lastly, to calculate the optimal angle the formula tan θ=
ux

was used. It was determined that the optimum angle at the Free Throw Line, Corner, Wing and

Half-Court Line is 54.37 º , 49.75 º , 53.12ºand 58.28 º respectively.

34
 Also, to determine the time that the ball reaches maximum height, t, the formula

1
sm =u y t+ a t 2 was first differentiated in terms of maximum height with respect to time giving
2

the equation
ⅆ sm
ⅆt ( )
1
= u y +2 x a t . The equation
2
ⅆ sm
ⅆt ( )
1
= u y +2 x a t was then transposed
2

making t the subject. It was determined that the time taken for the ball to reach maximum height

at the Free Throw Line, Corner, Wing and Half- Court line is 0.62 s , 0.68 s, 0.74 s and 1.11 s

respectively.

Lastly, to calculate the maximum height of the ball from ground level, the maximum height of

1 2
the ball was first calculated using the formula sm =u y t+ a t . It was determined that the
2

maximum height of the ball at the Free Throw Line, Corner, Wing and Half- Court line is 1.88 m,

2.26 m, 2.68 m and 6.05 m respectively. The formula s g=sm +h was then used to calculate the

maximum height of the ball from ground level. It was found that that the maximum height of the

ball from ground level at the Free Throw Line, Corner, Wing and Half- Court line is 3.96 m ,

4.34 m, 4.76 m and 8.13 respectively.

35
 Conclusion
In order to score the most baskets on game day, from the free-throw line the basketball player

must throw the ball at a velocity of 7.47 m/s and at an angle of 54.37 º , from the corner he must

shoot the ball 8.71 m/s at 49.75 º , from the wing he must throw the ball 9.06 m/ s at 53.12º and

from the Half-Court Line he must throw the ball 12.80 m/s at an angle of 58.28 º .

Also, from the free-throw line the basketball will take 0.62 s to reach the maximum height

from ground level of 3.96 m ,from the corner the basketball will take 0.68 s to reach the

maximum height from ground level of 4.34 m, from the wing the basketball will take 0.74 s to

reach the maximum height from ground level of 4.76 m and from Half-Court Line the basketball

will take 1.11 s to reach the maximum height from ground level of 8.13 m

For Future analysis the equations could then be then used to calculate the velocity and angle

that a basketball needs to be thrown and the maximum height from ground level of the basketball

and the time the ball takes to reach the maximum height in order to score for players of different

heights on varying sizes of basketball courts and from any position on the court.

36