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A ball travels on a parabolic path in which the height (in feet) is given by the expression -16t^2+80t+21, where t is the time after launch. What is the maximum height of the ball, in feet?

 Dec 26, 2018
 #1
avatar+4609 
+1

Factoring:: \(-16t^2+80t+21=t=-\frac{1}{4},\:t=\frac{21}{4}\)

 

We first factor \(-16t^2+80t+21\) into \(-\left(4t+1\right)\left(4t-21\right)\)

 

Next, \(4t+1=0 \longrightarrow t=-\frac{1}{4}.\)

 

And, \(4t-21=0 \longrightarrow t=\frac{21}{4}.\)

 

Since the value has to be maximum, the answer is \(\boxed{\frac{21}{4}}.\)

 

Oh, I think I'm wrong....

 Dec 26, 2018
edited by tertre  Dec 26, 2018
 #2
avatar+128079 
+2

-16t^2 + 80t + 21

 

The  t  that maximizes this is given by :

 

-80 / [ 2 * -16]  =  80 / 32  =  5/2

 

Putting this back into the function, we get that the max height is

 

-16(5/2)^2 + 80(5/2) + 21  =

 

-16(25/4) + 200 + 21  =

 

-100 + 200 + 21 =

 

121 ft

 

 

cool cool laugh

 Dec 26, 2018
 #3
avatar+4609 
+1

Yes, you are correct CPhill. Misread the problem!

tertre  Dec 26, 2018
 #4
avatar+128079 
+1

No big deal.....all that Christmas food has made my mind hazy, too....LOL!!!!

 

 

cool cool cool

CPhill  Dec 26, 2018

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