The function f(t) = 4t2 − 8t + 8 shows the height from the ground f(t), in meters, of a roller coaster car at different times t. Write f(t) in the vertex form a(x − h)2 + k, where a, h, and k are integers, and interpret the vertex of f(t).

f(t) = 4(t − 1)2 + 4; the minimum height of the roller coaster is 4 meters from the ground
f(t) = 4(t − 1)2 + 2; the minimum height of the roller coaster is 4 meters from the ground
f(t) = 4(t − 1)2 + 4; the minimum height of the roller coaster is 1 meter from the ground
f(t) = 4(t − 1)2 + 2; the minimum height of the roller coaster is 2 meters from the ground

1 answer

f(t) = 4(t - 1)^2 + 4

The vertex form of the function shows that the vertex is at the point (1,4). This means that the minimum height of the roller coaster is 4 meters from the ground, and it occurs at time t = 1.