SOLUTION: The equation of the path of a cricket ball thrown is y = x - (x^2/50), where x m and y m are the horizontal and vertical heights, travelled respectively. Calculate the greatest ver

Algebra.Com
Question 1126066: The equation of the path of a cricket ball thrown is y = x - (x^2/50), where x m and y m are the horizontal and vertical heights, travelled respectively. Calculate the greatest vertical height reached and the horizontal distance travelled.
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I did this yesterday.
I sent email.
Was it to you?

Answer by ikleyn(52778)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
1.  You are given a quadratic function

       y = - + 

    and they want you find its maximum.



        For the general form quadratic function  y =   with the negative leading coefficient  "a"  
        the maximum is achieved at  x = -.


    In your case  a = ,  b = 1,  so the maximum is achieved at  

       x = - =  = 25 units.


    To get the maximum value of the quadratic function, simply substitute x= 25 into the function

       y =  -  = 12.5 units.



2.  To find the horizontal distance traveled, simply find the distance between the roots (the zeroes) of the quadratic function:


        y = 0 =  -  = .


    The zeroes are  x= 0  (where the cricket ball started his path)  and  x= 50 (where it is ended by hitting the ground).

    The horizontal distance is 50 units.

Solved.

--------------------

On finding the maximum/minimum of a quadratic functions see the lessons
    - HOW TO complete the square to find the minimum/maximum of a quadratic function
    - Briefly on finding the minimum/maximum of a quadratic function
    - HOW TO complete the square to find the vertex of a parabola
    - Briefly on finding the vertex of a parabola
    - OVERVIEW of lessons on finding the maximum/minimum of a quadratic function
in this site.

Also,  you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site
    - ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK.

The referred lessons are the part of this textbook under the topic "Finding minimum/maximum of quadratic functions".


Save the link to this online textbook together with its description

Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson

to your archive and use it when it is needed.



RELATED QUESTIONS

the equation of the path of a cricket ball thrown is y = x - x^2/50, where x m and y m... (answered by Alan3354)
The equation of the path of a cricket ball thrown at an angle of 45 degrees, with the... (answered by stanbon)
The equation of the path of a cricket ball thrown at an angle of 45 degrees to the... (answered by macston)
Amy throws a ball so that when it is at its highest point, it passes through a hoop. The... (answered by josmiceli)
If an object is thrown/launched into the air, the following formula can be used to model... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
PLEASE HELP!! The height of a ball is modeled by the equation y=-1/70 x^2+2x+2 where... (answered by Alan3354)
Please Help Me! 1. The path of a ball thrown into the air from a height of 3 feet is... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
1. A ball follows a flight given by y = 20x - x^2 + 6 where x represents the horizontal... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
Please help and show all work. Thanks The height y (in feet) of a ball thrown by a... (answered by Alan3354)