A ball is thrown into the air with an upward velocity of 36 ft/s. Its height h in feet after t seconds is given by the function h = −16t2 + 36t + 5. In how many seconds does the ball reach its maximum height? Round to the nearest hundredth if necessary. What is the ball’s maximum height?

3 answers

The maximum height of course is the y value of the vertex of this downwards opening parabola, in the form (x,y)
for yours the x of the vertex is -36/-32 = 9/8 = 1.125 seconds
the actual max height is -16(9/8)^2 + 36(9/8) + 5 = 101/4 ft or 25.25 ft

There are several ways to do this question, another would be
to complete the square of the function, or if you know Calculus,
set the derivative equal to zero, to find the t when the max happens.
If this is an Algebra 2 problem, use x=-b/2a to find the x-coordinate of the vertex and then plug it in the function to find the y-coordinate.

If this is a Calculus problem, set the derivative equal to 0 to find the time when the function hits its maximum.
just how to do it? guess i'll guess ( ͡o ͜ʖ ͡o)