Question

Question
The path of a soccer ball can be modeled by the equation h(x)=−1/2x(x−20)
, where h(x) is the height of the ball, and x is the horizontal distance the ball has traveled. To determine how far the ball has traveled when it hits the ground, Leon set the height equal to 0 and obtained the equation: 0=−1/2x(x−20)
. How can he use the Zero Product Property to find the horizontal distance the ball has traveled when the height of the soccer ball equals 0?(1 point)
Responses
1.Plug in 0 for all the x terms in the function.
2.Solve the two equations: −1/2x=0 and x−20=0.
3.Cancel out the x and then multiply −1/2 and −20.
4.He cannot use the Zero Product Property because the height will never be 0.

Answer 1

Answer: 2.

Use the Zero Product Property: set each factor equal to 0.
- −1/2 · x = 0 → x = 0
- x − 20 = 0 → x = 20

So the ball is on the ground at x = 0 (start) and x = 20 (when it lands).