SOLUTION: If an object on Earth is propelled upward with an initial velocity of 32 ft. per second, then its height is given by h=32t-16t^2. After how many seconds does it reach its mamimum h
Question 48257: If an object on Earth is propelled upward with an initial velocity of 32 ft. per second, then its height is given by h=32t-16t^2. After how many seconds does it reach its mamimum height? Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! One approach to the solution to this problem is to recognise that that path described by the object is that of a parabbola which opens downward. The maximum height reached by the object will be at the vertex of the parabola.
So if you can find the value of h at the vertex, you will have found the maximum height attained by the object, right?
Let's rewrite the equation in function form as: Compare this with the standard form for a quadratic equation: so in your equation, a = -16, b = 32, and c = 0
The x-coordinate (or t-coordinate in your problem) of the vertex is given by: , in your problem, this would be: second.