Question

A rescuer on a helicopter that is 50 feet above the sea drops a lifebelt. The distance from the lifebelt to the sea can be modeled by the equation below
`h(t)=-16t ^(2) + s` , where h(t) represents the lifebelt's height from the sea at any given time, t is the time in seconds, and s is the initial height from the sea, in feet. How long will it take for the lifebelt to reach the sea? Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a second.

Answer 1

When the lifebelt reaches the sea, h=0 so

-16t^2+50=0

-16t^2=-50

t^2=25/8

t=√(25/8) seconds

t≈1.8 seconds