26.3k views
1 vote
You are trying to dunk a basketball. You need to jump 2.5ft in the air to dunk the ball. The height that your feet are above the ground is given by the function h(t) = -16t^2 +12t. What is the maximum height your feet will be above the ground? Will you be able to dunk the basketball ?

User De Li
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Explanation:

The height that your feet are above the ground is given by the function :


h(t) = -16t^2 +12t ...(1)

We need to find the maximum height your feet will be above the ground.

For maximum height, put dh(t)/dt = 0


(dh)/(dt)=0\\\\(d( -16t^2 +12t))/(dt)=0\\\\-32t+12=0\\\\t=0.375\ s

Now put t = 0.375 s in equation (1) as follows :


h(t)=-16\left(0.375\right)^(2)+12\left(0.375\right)\\\\=2.25\ ft

So, the feet will be 2.25 feet above the ground. Yes, you will be able to dunk the basketball.

User Abulafia
by
8.4k points