Problema Solution

The distance d that an object falls is directly proportional to the square of the time of the fall, t. A person who is parachuting for the first time is told to wait 16 seconds before opening the parachute. If the person falls 64 feet in 2 seconds, find how far he falls in 16 seconds.

Answer provided by our tutors

The distance is directly proportional to the square of the time means:

d = k * t², where k is constant

We know that if t = 2 sec, then d = 64, so we use this info to find k:

64 = k * (2)²

k * (2)² = 64
........

click here to see the equation solved for k

........
k = 16

The formula for the distance is:

d = 16t^2

Now we need to find d when t = 16 sec:

d = 16 t²

d = 16*16^2

d = 4,096 ft

In 16 second the person will fall 4,096 feet in distance.