Question

The table shows the approximate height of an object x seconds after the object was dropped. The function h(x) = –16x2 + 100 models the data in the table.

A 2-column table with 5 rows. The first column is labeled time (seconds) with entries 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2. The second column is labeled height (feet) with entries 100, 96, 84, 65, 37.
For which value of x would this model make the least sense to use?

–2.75
0.25
1.75
2.25

Answer 1

-2.75

Time after an object is dropped cannot be negative. Also h(-2.75) = -16(2.75^2)+100 = -121+100 = -21 ft (nonsensical), while the other choices give positive, physically plausible heights.