Question

An object is dropped from a height of 1,600 feet. The amount of time, in seconds, the object takes to hit the ground can be found by solving the equation −16t2+1,600=0. How many seconds will it take to hit the ground?

Answer 1

To find the time it takes for the object to hit the ground, we can solve the quadratic equation -16t^2 + 1600 = 0 using the quadratic formula. The positive solution to this equation gives us the time in seconds. Therefore, the object will take √102400/32 seconds to hit the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the time it takes for the object to hit the ground, we need to solve the equation -16t^2 + 1600 = 0. This is a quadratic equation, so we can use the quadratic formula. Plugging in the values, we get t = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac))/(2a). In this case, a = -16, b = 0, and c = 1600. Plugging in these values, we get t = (± √(0 - 4(-16)(1600)))/(2(-16)). Simplifying the equation further, we get t = (± √(0 + 102400))/(32). This gives us two possible values for t: t = √102400/32 and t = -√102400/32. Since time cannot be negative in this context, we can discard the negative solution. Therefore, the object will take √102400/32 seconds to hit the ground.

Answer 2

As it is stated in this item, in order to determine the amount of time it takes to hit the ground, the equation
-16t² + 1600 = 0

Transpose the terms without variable to the other side of the equation,
-16t² = -1600

Divide the equation by -16.
t² = 100

Solve the value of t by getting the square root of the equation.
t = +/- 10

Thus, it will take the object 10 seconds to reach the ground.