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A toy rocket was fired into the air. The height, h,of the rocket at time t seconds is recorded in the tablebelow. Using an equation to model the data, find theheight of the rocket after 5 seconds.

User Bijay Yadav
by
2.8k points

1 Answer

16 votes
16 votes

we have the ordered pairs

(0,0)

(1,76)

(2,120)

(3,132)

(4,112)

Plot the given points

see the attached figure

In this problem we have a vertical parabola open downward

The vertex represents a maximum

The equation is of the form

y=ax^2+bx+c -----> quadratic equation

using a quadratic regression calculator

we have that

a=-16

b=92

c=0

therefore

y=-16x^2+92x

For x=5 sec

substitute

y=-16(5)^2+92(5)

y=60

the answer is

the height is 60 units

Alternative method (approximate solution)

The quadratic equation in vertex form is equal to

y=a(x-h)^2+k

where

(h,k) is the vertex

I will assume that the vertex in this problem is the point (3,132)

so

(h,k)=(3,132)

substitute

y=a(x-3)^2+132

Find out the value of a

we have the point (0,0)

substitute in the equation

0=a(0-3)^2+132

0=9a+132

a=-132/9

a=-14.67

therefore

y=-14.67(x-3)^2+132

For x=5

y=-14.67(5-3)^2+132

y=73.33 units

Third Method

using the equation

y=ax^2+bx+c

points (0,0), (1,76) and (2,120)

(0,0) --------> 0=a(0)^2+b(0)+c ----------> c=0

y=ax^2+bx

(1.76) ------> 76=a(1)^2+b(1) ----------> a+b=76 ------> equation 1

(2,120) ----> 120=a(2)^2+b(2) ----> 4a+2b=120 ----> equation 2

solve the system of equations

the solution of this system is

a=-16

b=92

therefore

the equation is

y=-16x^2+92x (same first method)

A toy rocket was fired into the air. The height, h,of the rocket at time t seconds-example-1
User Kavi Siegel
by
2.8k points