Final answer:
To find h(1.2), substitute t = 1.2 into the given equation h(t) = -3.8t^2 + 26. Plugging in the value gives: h(1.2) = 20.53. To find h(2), substitute t = 2 into the equation: h(2) = 10.8. The function values in part a represent the height of the ball at different times.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find h(1.2), substitute t = 1.2 into the given equation h(t) = -3.8t^2 + 26. Plugging in the value gives:
h(1.2) = -3.8(1.2)^2 + 26 = -3.8(1.44) + 26 = -5.472 + 26 = 20.528.
To find h(2), substitute t = 2 into the equation:
h(2) = -3.8(2)^2 + 26 = -3.8(4) + 26 = -15.2 + 26 = 10.8.
In part a, the value h(1.2) represents the height of the ball after 1.2 seconds, which is approximately 20.53 meters. This means that after 1.2 seconds, the ball is at a height of 20.53 meters from the ground. Similarly, h(2) represents the height of the ball after 2 seconds, which is approximately 10.8 meters. This means that after 2 seconds, the ball is at a height of 10.8 meters from the ground.