Question

82.35 m = (0)t + 1/2(-9.8)t^2 t = 4.1 s is correct
Could someone please walk me through this? I could not get an answer because of the negative (maybe my order of operations is wrong) I have no idea!

Answer 1

You correct.

t^2 = 82.35/4.9

Answer 2

But how did you get positive 4.9 when dividing -9.8 by one half?

Answer 3

s(t) = 0t - 4.9t^2
Technically, s(t) indicates that the object is moving in a negative direction, as if falling from a height of 0m into a canyon.

So, you equation should really be

s(t) = -82.35

indicating it takes 4.1s to fall 82.35m.

I'll let you worry about the +/- signs.