ANOTHER parabola related question ._.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stripe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Parabola
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the maximum height of a projectile launched by a cannon, modeled by the equation h = -0.75t^2 + 16t + 3. The initial attempt involved completing the square, leading to confusion about the turning point and the maximum height. Participants clarified that the correct maximum height is approximately 88.33 meters, not 67 meters as initially calculated. The importance of adjusting for the coefficient of the squared term during the completion of the square was emphasized. Overall, the thread highlights the collaborative effort to solve the mathematical problem and the appreciation for timely assistance.
Stripe
Messages
32
Reaction score
0

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 >_<
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
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
 
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
 
Back
Top