Question

Find the horizontal distance the ball has traveled when it hits the ground. (Round your answer to one decimal place.)

Answer 1

16.3

Explanation:

When the ball hits the ground, its vertical position is y = 0.

`y=-(32)/((20)^2) x^2+x+5\\0=-0.08 x^2+x+5\\0.08x^2-x-5=0`

Solve the quadratic equation using the quadratic formula:

`x=(-b\pm √(b^2-4ac) )/(2a) \\x=(-(-1)\pm √((-1)^2-4(0.08)(-5)) )/(2(0.08))\\x=(1\pm √(2.6) )/(0.16)\\x=-3.8\ or\ 16.3`

Since x must be positive, the ball lands 16.3 feet away.