Question

If a ball is thrown directly upward with a velocity of 50ft/s, it's height (in feet) after t seconds is given by y=50t-16t^2 what is the maximum height attained by the ball

Answer 1

Answer:

39.0625 ft

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the function is a quadratic representing height, and the coefficient of the t² is negative, the vertex of the parabola will be the maximum height achieved by the ball.  

The general form for a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c, here a is -16, and b is 50

To find the x coordinate of the vertex, use   x = -b/(2a)

We have x = -50/[2(-16)]

               

                  x = -50/-32

             

                         x= 25/16

Now plug that into the equation to find the y value, which will be the height...

y = 50(25/16) - 16(25/16)²

    y = 1250/16 - 16(625/256)

        y = 1250/16 - 625/16

              y = 625/16

                   y = 39.0625