Question

An object is launched directly in the air at a speed of 48 feet per second from a platform located 12 feet above the ground. The position of the object can be modeled using the function f(t)=−16t2+48t+12, where t is the time in seconds and f(t) is the height, in feet, of the object. What is the maximum height, in feet, that the object will reach?

Answer 1

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Answer:

48 ft

Explanation:

For the quadratic ax^2 +bx +c, the axis of symmetry is x = -b/(2a). For the given quadratic, which defines a parabola opening downward, the axis of symmetry defines the time at which the maximum height is reached.

t = -48/(2(-16)) = 1.5

Then the maximum height is ...

f(1.5) = (-16·1.5 +48)1.5 +12 = (24·1.5) +12

f(1.5) = 48

The maximum height the object will reach is 48 feet.