Question

Ball thrown straight up

H(x)=64x-16xSquared


How do you find the value of x when the ball reached its maximum height.

Answer 1

x = 2

Explanation:

H(x) = 64x - 16x²

Find the value of x when the ball reaches its maximum height.

Since the largest degree in this equation is two, this function represents a parabola. We can find the maximum height of the ball at the vertex of the quadratic.

In H(x) = 64x - 16x², rearrange the powers from greatest to least:

• a = -16
• b = 64
• c = 0

Vertex: [-b/2a, f(-b/2a)]

Substitute a and b into the x-value of the vertex: -b/2a.

• -(64)/2·(-16)
• -64/-32
• 2

The vertex of the parabola is at x = 2, with a maximum height of H(2).