Question 624116
water sprouts (the curve described by the water stream, assumed to be a parabola) from a horizontal pipe 40 feet above the ground. twenty feet below theline of the pipe, the water stream is at a horizontal distanceof 16 feet from the vertical line through the end of the pipe. how far from the vertical line will the stream of water hit the ground?
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We are working with a parabola that opens downwards with vertex at (0,0)
Form of equation: y=Ax^2
A horizontal distance of 16 ft from the vertical line and 20 ft below the line gives you a point of (16,-20) on the parabola. 
Solving for A, using these coordinates:
-20=A16^2
A=-20/256
A=-0.078125
Equation of parabola: 
y=-.078125x^2
when water hits the ground, y=-40
-40=-.078125x^2
x^2=40/.078125
x^2=512
x=√512≈22.63 ft
The stream of water will hit the ground 22.63 ft from the vertical line.