Answer:
The rocket's maximum height will be 1424 feet.
It will reach that height in 4 seconds.
It will reach the ground in 8 seconds.
Explanation:
One easy way to find the peak is to find the derivative and solve for zero:
h(t) = -16t² + 128t + 1680
To find the derivative of each term in that format, you simply multiply the coefficient by the exponent, and reduce the exponent by one. In the case of terms with no variable, they disappear. That gives us:
h'(t) = -32t + 128
This derivative describes the rate of change of h with respect to t, so to find the peak, we simply need to solve it for zero:
0 = -32t + 128
32t = 128
t = 4
So the maximum height occurs when t = 4. Let's plug it in to the original equation:
h(t) = -16t² + 128t + 1680
h(4) = -256 + 512 + 1680
h(4) = 1424
So the rocket's maxiumum height is 1424 feet.
And we've already answered the second question, it happens at 4 seconds.
Also, the amount of time going up will be the same as the amount of time going down, which means that it will reach the ground in twice that time, or 8 seconds.