Question

A flare was launched straight up from the ground with an initial velocity of 176 ft/s and returned to the ground after 11 s. The height of the flare t seconds after launch is modeled by the function f(t)=−16t2+176t . What is the maximum height of the flare, in feet? Enter your answer in the box.

Answer 1

Remark

You just need to put in 11/2 = 5.5 for t everywhere you see t. Why 5.5? Why not 11. The reason is that it takes the same amount of time to come down as it does to go up. If you have never taken a physics question, this one is a little unfair.

Givens

t = 5.5

Formula

f(t) = -16t^2 + 176t

Solve

f(5.5) = -16*(5.5)^2 + 176(5.5)

f(5.5) = -16*(30.25) + 968

f(5.5) = - 484 + 968

f(5.5) = 484 feet.