Question

The path of a cannonball is a parabola modeled by the equation y=55+x-0.002x squared where x and y are both measured in feet. In this model, the cannonball starts at the point (0,55) and travels to the right. The ground is represented by the x-axis. Sketch a graph of the cannon ball's path, and determine the horizontal distance traveled by the ball before it hits the ground.

Answer 1

The horizontal distance traveled by the ball before it hits the ground is 550 ft

The graph in the attached figure

Explanation:

we have

`y=55+x-0.002x^(2)`

Using a graphing tool

we know that

The horizontal distance traveled by the ball before it hits the ground is equal to the horizontal distance from the origin to the x-intercept of the graph

so

The horizontal distance is 550 ft

see the attached figure