Final answer:
The path of the water sprinkler can be described by the equation y = a(x - h)^2 + k. To find the inequality for points above the original projected path, we need to consider a new vertex with a greater y-coordinate. The inequality is y > a(x - 1)^2 + 7.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path of the water sprinkler can be described by the equation y = a(x - h)^2 + k, where (h, k) is the vertex of the parabola. In this case, the maximum height of the water is 7 feet after 1 second, which means (h, k) = (1, 7).
The sprinkler is initially 0.5 feet off the ground, so the equation becomes y = a(x - 1)^2 + 7, and we need to find the value of a.
To determine the inequality, we need to consider values of y that are greater than the original projected path. This means the vertex of the new parabola will have a greater y-coordinate than the original vertex, which is (1, 7).
Since the new parabola is shifted upwards, the new vertex will be (1, k), where k > 7.
The value of k is determined by the water pressure increase. Therefore, we can write the inequality as y > a(x - 1)^2 + 7, where a is the coefficient of the quadratic term.