An object is launched directly in the air at a speed of 48 feet per second from a platform located 12 feet above the ground. The
position of the object can be modeled using the function f(t)=−16t2+48t+12, where t is the time in seconds and f(t) is the height, in feet, of the object. What is the maximum height, in feet, that the object will reach?
For the quadratic ax^2 +bx +c, the axis of symmetry is x = -b/(2a). For the given quadratic, which defines a parabola opening downward, the axis of symmetry defines the time at which the maximum height is reached.
t = -48/(2(-16)) = 1.5
Then the maximum height is ...
f(1.5) = (-16·1.5 +48)1.5 +12 = (24·1.5) +12
f(1.5) = 48
The maximum height the object will reach is 48 feet.
