d2x= 0,   d2y= −g.
dt2 dt2

(3)

The solution is

x = At + B,   y = −1⁄2gt2 + Ct + D.

(4)

If the initial values of x, y, ẋ, ẏ are given, we have four conditions to determine the four arbitrary constants A, B, C, D. Thus if the particle start at time t = 0 from the origin, with the component velocities u0, v0, we have

x = u0t,   y = v0t − 1⁄2gt2.

(5)

Eliminating t we have the equation of the path, viz.

y = v0x − gx2.
u0 2u2