Solve for Football Field Goal: Height & Time Calculations"

  • Thread starter night_stroller
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation is about a person asking for help solving a math problem involving a football being kicked and following a certain path. The conversation covers using completing the square or the quadratic formula to solve the problem, as well as discussing different parts of the problem and offering assistance.
  • #1
night_stroller
4
0
hi,

Can somebody please help me solve this through completing the square?

A football player attempts a field goal by kicking the football. The ball follows the path modeled by the equation h=-4.9^2+10t+3, where h is the height of the ball above the ground in metres, and t is the time since the ball was kicked in seconds.

a) Describe the path of the ball.
b) After how many seconds does the ball reach the ground?
c) The ball must clear the uprights for the field goal to count. The uprights are approximately 5m high. How long does the ball stay above 5 m in height?
 
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  • #2
Must you do it by completing the square? Why not use the quadratic formula?
 
  • #3
We should have a mod roll call.
 
  • #4
Tom Mattson said:
Must you do it by completing the square? Why not use the quadratic formula?

I haven't learned it yet.
 
  • #5
night_stroller said:
I haven't learned it yet.

Why not prove it then =] ? Completet the square on the general quadratic form [itex]ax^2 + bx + c[/itex], where a, b and c are real constants.
 
  • #6
which bit are you stuck on exactly?

for a), its kind of you know it or you dont.

for b), when the ball hits the ground, you know its height is what?

from there you can simply solve the quadratric using the quadratic formula (be useful if you can derive it, but just search google if you can't be bothered).

for c), same sort of method as b), just use a dif value for height.

need any more help?
 

FAQ: Solve for Football Field Goal: Height & Time Calculations"

1. What are the steps to solving this problem?

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