> I thought the general idea of the problem was to not use differential > equations and calculus? (or "other fancy mathematical tricks"). I feel like > that is the challenge of the problem...
Yes. I just don't know how to separate Newtonian mechanics from differential equations.... so I didn't. My solution won't be considered for that reason. I've been discussing this with some other physicists and our fundamental stumbling block is that the problem defines the pendulum via it's natural period. The natural period of a pendulum depends on the amplitude of oscillation, unlike something more intrinsic, like the length. So without specifying an amplitude associated with the period, this way of characterizing a pendulum is somewhat ambiguous. The relationship between period and length that is familiar, namely T = 2*pi*sqrt(l/g), I can only obtain from a differential equation. But perhaps that relationship is derivable without appealing to differential equations. In any event, there must be some way to relate period to length, and if it isn't this relationship, I don't know what it is or how to rationalize it. ~Luke -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sympy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sympy?hl=en.
