Join Game Changers!

Apply Today and receive complimentary 6 month Premium subscription!
Quick Homework Help
(down) 0 (up)

An emergency flare is fired from a vehicle. Its height, h metres is given by h(t)=-5t^2+35t+50, where t is the time in seconds. A)What is the maximum height reached by the flare? B and C of question

samathsn001

by samathsn001 at November 18, 2009

This is always part of this question as well

B) How long does it take to reach the maximum height

C) How long does it take the flare to hit the ground

I tried this question and still did not get it. Thank you for your help.

Answers

(up) 0 (down)
The maximum height is given by the h coordinate of the vertex of the parabola.  To find this you need to find the t coordinate.You can find the t coordinate (or the time to reach max h, part B) by using the formula -b/2a, where b is the t coefficient (or 35 in this case) and a is the t^2 coefficient (or -5).  So the time to reach the maximum height (units along the t-axis) is:-35/(2*-5), or 7/2 time units.  Then find the maximum height by plugging this t-value into the equation and solving for h(7/2).To find how long it takes to hit the ground, solve for when t=0.  This equation isn't easily factored, so use the quadratic formula.  You'll want the largest t value, of the two, or the nonnegative value. 

Alison037 Alison037 November 19, 2009

Add your answer


Post your answer

Try Instatnt Math