a rock is launched from a canon. it's height, h(x), can be represented by a quadratic function in terms of time, x, in seconds.
After 1 second, the Rock is 58 ft in the air; after 2 seconds, it is 112 feet in the air. find the height, in feet, of the rock after 10 seconds in the air.
we assume that h(0)=0 Therefore: a(0)²+b(0)+c=0 c=0
(1,58) a(1)²+b(1)=58 a+b=58 (1)
(2,112) a(2)²+b(2)=112 4a+2b=112 2a+b=56 (1)
With the equations (1) and (2) we make a system of equations: a+b=58 2a+b=56 we can solve this system of equations by reduction method. -(a+b=58) 2a+b=56 --------------------- a=-2