Using the given values from the problem and the illustration, three points are known which are (0,0), (6.5,-31), (-6.5,-31). The first step in solving this problem is to determine the equation of the parabola. y = ax² -31 = a(6.5)² -31 = 42.25a a = -31/42.25 a = -124/169
Therefore, the equation of the parabola is y = (-124/169)x². The value 4.5 is then substituted in the equation as x to get the answer which is 16.14 meters.
