Question

At the same time, Min's little brother throws a baseball from a height of 4 feet with an initial vertical velocity of 20 feet per second. What polynomial models the height of this ball, in feet?

A) -161t + 20t + 4
B) -161t^2 + 20t + 4
C) -161t^2 + 20t - 4
D) -161t - 20t + 4

Answer 1

The polynomial that models the height of the ball is -161t^2 + 20t + 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The polynomial that models the height of the ball is option B) -161t^2 + 20t + 4.

To solve this problem, we can use the formula for projectile motion. In this case, the ball is thrown vertically with an initial velocity of 20 feet per second and a starting height of 4 feet. The formula for the height of an object in projectile motion is given by:

h(t) = h0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2

Where h(t) is the height of the object at time t, h0 is the initial height, v0 is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration (which is equal to -32 feet per second squared for objects in free fall), and t is time.

Plugging in the given values, the polynomial that models the height of the ball is -161t^2 + 20t + 4.