A hot-air balloon is rising upward with a constant speed of 3.93 m/s. When the balloon is 4.91 m above the ground, the balloonist accidentally drops a compass over the side of the balloon. How much time elapses before the compass hits the ground?

Answer 1

h = -3.93t * 4.9t^2 = 4.91 m.
4.9t^2 - 3.93t - 4.91 = 0
Use Quadratic Formula and get:
t = 1.48 s.