Question

The function h(x) = –1/2 (x − 4)2 + 3 represents the height of a bird y over time x, as it flies past the school. What point on the graph represents the greatest height of the bird above the ground? A. (4, 3) B. (3, 4) C. (12,4) D. (3,12)

Answer 1

D. (3,12)

Explanation:

Lets assume "h(x) = –1/2 (x − 4)2 + 3" is actually meant to be:

h(x) = –1/2(x − 4)^2 + 3

The points are given as (x,y), where x is the horizontal axis (the time) and y is the vertical axis (the height).

Even with the formula change, none of the points corresponds with the equation.

A. (4, 3) B. (3, 4) C. (12,4) D. (3,12)

are from a different function. The values produced by the given equation for the x values above, are:

A. (4, 3) B. (3, 2.5) C. (12,-29) D. (3,2.5)

Note also that B and D had the same x, but different values of y.

Despite nothing making sense in the basics of the problem, we are only asked which of the listed points represents the greatest height of the bird above ground. That would be the one with the highest value of y, the height.

D. (3,12)