A football player kicks the ball with an initial upward velocity of 60 feet per second. This situation is modeled using the equation h=−16t2+60t+0

, where h is the height in feet and t is the time in seconds. Using this equation, what is the maximum range the ball will reach? Round to the nearest hundredth.(1 point)

1 answer

To find the maximum height (the peak) of the projectile, we can use the vertex formula for a quadratic equation in the form \( h(t) = at^2 + bt + c \). Given the equation:

\[ h(t) = -16t^2 + 60t + 0 \]

The coefficients are:

  • \( a = -16 \)
  • \( b = 60 \)
  • \( c = 0 \)

The time at which the maximum height occurs can be calculated using the formula:

\[ t = -\frac{b}{2a} \]

Substituting the values of \( a \) and \( b \):

\[ t = -\frac{60}{2 \times -16} = \frac{60}{32} = \frac{15}{8} = 1.875 \text{ seconds} \]

Now, substitute \( t = 1.875 \) back into the height equation to find the maximum height \( h \):

\[ h(1.875) = -16(1.875)^2 + 60(1.875) + 0 \]

Calculating \( (1.875)^2 \):

\[ (1.875)^2 = 3.515625 \]

Now substituting this value:

\[ h(1.875) = -16(3.515625) + 60(1.875) \]

Calculating \( -16(3.515625) \):

\[ -16(3.515625) = -56.25 \]

Calculating \( 60(1.875) \):

\[ 60(1.875) = 112.5 \]

Now adding these results together:

\[ h(1.875) = -56.25 + 112.5 = 56.25 \]

Thus, the maximum height (range) the ball will reach is:

\[ \boxed{56.25} \text{ feet} \]