If you go through the analysis, the air density drops out of the range equation if you assume are operating at the range-optimal speed (which is higher at lower air densities).
If you go through the analysis, the air density drops out of the range equation if you assume are operating at the range-optimal speed (which is higher at lower air densities).
Not quite true -- range-optimal speed is where the sum of those terms is minimal. With some assumptions, this is where the derivative is 0, dDrag/dv = 0, and since derivative is linear, this means: the range-optimal speed is where the (infinitesimal) increase of parasitic drag (with speed) is equal to the decrease of lift-induced drag (in other words, opposite derivatives).
D = A*v^2 + B/v^2 (D is total drag, first term is parasitic drag, second term is lift-induced drag)
dD/dv = 0 where v = (B/A)^(1/4)
Plug in v = (B/A)^(1/4)
D = sqrt(AB) + sqrt(AB), aka dD/dv = 0 exactly when parasitic drag is equal to the lift-induced drag