Problema Solution

The function y=-16t^2+486 models the height y in feet of a stone t seconds after it is dropped from the edge of a vertical cliff. How long will it take the stone to hit the ground? Round to the nearest hundredth of a second.

Answer provided by our tutors

when the stone hits the ground y = 0 thus we need such t so that -16t^2 + 486 = 0


by solving the quadratic equation


-16t^2 + 486 = 0


we find


t = 5.51 s


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the stone will hit the ground after 5.51 seconds.