Question

The expression
−
1
4
(
x
−
6
)
2
+
9
represents the height, in feet, that water reaches above a fountain where
x
is the horizontal distance in feet from the starting point of the fountain.



Which of the following represents the maximum height of the water above the fountain?



A.
9
feet, which is a constant term of the expression

B.
6
feet, which is a constant term of the expression

C.
9
feet, which is a coefficient of the expression

D.
6
feet, which is a coefficient of the expression

Answer 1

A. 9 feet, which is a constant term of the expression

Explanation: The function is y = −(1/4)(x − 6)^2 + 9, a downward-opening parabola with vertex at (6, 9), so the maximum height is 9 ft.