Modeling with Quadratic Equations Answers

When using a quadratic equation in the form y = ax2 + bx + c to model the height of a projectile (y) over time (x), which of the following is always represented by the constant term?

A baseball is thrown into the air from a height of 5 feet. The ball reaches a maximum height of 43.5 feet and spends a total of 3.2 seconds in the air. Which equation models the height of the baseball? Assume that acceleration due to gravity is –16 ft/s2.

A quarterback throws an incomplete pass. The height of the football at time t is modeled by the equation h(t) = –16t2 + 40t + 7. Rounded to the nearest tenth, the solutions to the equation when h(t) = 0 feet are –0.2 s and 2.7 s. Which solution can be eliminated and why?

The Davidson family wants to expand its rectangular patio, which currently measures 15 ft by 12 ft. They want to extend the length and width the same amount to increase the total area of the patio by 160 ft2. Which quadratic equation best models the situation?A = lw

A rectangular pan has a length that is the width. The total area of the pan is 432 in.2. What is the width of the cake pan?A = lw

Both Rachel and Dominique throw tennis balls into the air. At any time, t, the height, h, of Rachel’s ball is modeled by the equation h = –16t2 + 30t + 5. Dominique throws his tennis ball with the same acceleration, a, from the same initial height, , but with an initial velocity, v, double that of Rachel’s. Which equation best models the height of Dominique’s tennis ball?h(t) = at2 + vt + h0

A skydiver jumps from an airplane at an altitude of 2,500 ft. He falls under the force of gravity until he opens his parachute at an altitude of 1,000 ft. Using the initial velocity of zero, approximately how long does the jumper fall before he opens his chute?For this quadratic model we will let the y-axis be the axis of symmetry.h(t) = -16t2 + vt + h0

A projectile is launched straight up from the ground with an initial velocity of 120 ft/s. If acceleration due to gravity is –16 ft/s2, after about how many seconds will the object reach a height of 200 ft?h(t) = at2 + vt + h0

A firework is launched into the air from ground level with an initial velocity of 128 ft/s. If acceleration due to gravity is –16 ft/s2, what is the maximum height reached by the firework?h(t) = at2 + vt + h0

A soccer ball is kicked into the air from the ground. If the ball reaches a maximum height of 25 ft and spends a total of 2.5 s in the air, which equation models the height of the ball correctly? Assume that acceleration due to gravity is –16 ft/s2.h(t) = at2 + vt + h0