ANOTHER parabola related question ._.

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In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving a cannon launching a projectile and determining the maximum height reached by the cannonball. The solution involves completing the square and factoring out the coefficient of the squared term. The final solution is (0.75t-8)^2+67, with a turning point of (8,67) and a maximum height of 67 metres. The conversation ends with gratitude to those who provided help.
  • #1
Stripe
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Homework Statement


a cannon launches a projectile. H, is the height in metres that the cannon ball is above the horizon by t seconds.

h= -0.75t^2 + 16t + 3


Homework Equations


What is the maximum height reached by the cannonball?

The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so i tried completing the square:
h= -(0.75t^2-16t-3)
h= -(0.75^2-16t+64)+64+3 < (Is this right, that instead of -64 it is + because in the first brackets i was -64 really?)
h= -(0.75t-8)^2+67

Therefore the turning point is (8,67)?

So would the highest point not be 67 metres? because when i graph it in my calculator it is 88.333 or something like that.

Thanks again >_<
 
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  • #2
What you want to do is to factor out the coefficient of your squared term and the first-degree term, like so:
h= -(3/4)t2 + 16t + 3
= -(3/4)[t2 - (64/3)t + ___] + 3
= -(3/4)[t2 - (64/3)t + (322/9)] + 3 + (3/4)(322/9)
and so on.
 
  • #3
Stripe said:

Homework Statement


a cannon launches a projectile. H, is the height in metres that the cannon ball is above the horizon by t seconds.

h= -0.75t^2 + 16t + 3


Homework Equations


What is the maximum height reached by the cannonball?

The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so i tried completing the square:
h= -(0.75t^2-16t-3)
h= -(0.75^2-16t+64)+64+3 < (Is this right, that instead of -64 it is + because in the first brackets i was -64 really?)
h= -(0.75t-8)^2+67

Therefore the turning point is (8,67)?

So would the highest point not be 67 metres? because when i graph it in my calculator it is 88.333 or something like that.

Thanks again >_<

Square (.75t-8). You don't get what you think you get. Try completing the square again, and keep in mind that the coefficient of t2 is not 1 here! You need to adjust for that
 
  • #4
oh shoop da woop thank you guys so much!

After deciphering some of your maths jingo, i got it! Thanks guys i really appreciate your help!

and Mark a special thanks to you for replying to all my threads so hastily!

Thanks guys :D
 

FAQ: ANOTHER parabola related question ._.

1. What is a parabola?

A parabola is a U-shaped curve that is created when a quadratic equation is graphed. It is a type of conic section and is defined by the equation y = ax^2 + bx + c.

2. How do you graph a parabola?

To graph a parabola, you can use the vertex form of the equation y = a(x-h)^2 + k, where (h,k) is the vertex of the parabola. Plot the vertex on the coordinate plane and then use the axis of symmetry (x = h) to plot additional points on either side of the vertex.

3. What is the axis of symmetry?

The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides a parabola into two symmetric halves. It passes through the vertex of the parabola and is represented by the equation x = h, where h is the x-coordinate of the vertex.

4. How do you find the vertex of a parabola?

The vertex of a parabola can be found by either using the formula h = -b/2a or by completing the square to rewrite the equation in vertex form. The vertex is represented by the coordinates (h,k).

5. What are real and imaginary solutions of a parabola?

Real solutions of a parabola are the x-values where the parabola intersects the x-axis. They are also known as the roots or zeros of the equation. Imaginary solutions occur when the parabola does not intersect the x-axis and the solutions involve imaginary numbers.

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