Answer:
a) No. t < 0 is not part of the useful domain of the function
b) 2.0 seconds
Step-by-step explanation:
a) A graph of the function is shown below. It shows t-intercepts at t=-0.25 and t=2.0. We presume that t is measured forward from some event such as the ball being thrown or hit. The model's predicted ball location has no meaning prior to that event, when values of t are negative.
__
b) It is convenient to use a graphing calculator to find the t-intercepts. Or, the equation can be solved for h=0 any of several ways algebraically. One is by factoring.
h = 0 = -16t² +28t +8 . . . . . . . . . . . . the ball hits the ground when h = 0
0 = -4(4t² -7t -2) = -4(4t +1)(t -2)
This has t-intercepts where the factors are zero, at t=-1/4 and t=2.
The ball will hit the ground after 2 seconds.
