Problema Solution
Some fireworks are fired vertically into the air from the ground at an initial velocity of 80 feet per second. Find the highest point reached by the projectile just as it explodes.
Answer provided by our tutors
The equation for the object's height s at time t seconds after launch is
s(t) = –16*t^2 + 80t, where s is in feet
we need to find the maximum of the parabolic function s(t) = –16*t^2 + 80t
s max = c - b^2/(4a), where a = -16, b = 80, c = 0
s max = 0 - 80^2/(4*(-16))
s max = 100 ft
the highest point reached by the projectile is 100 ft.