Finding initial velocity when given only mass and distance

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jessie763
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Homework Statement


A 1.428 kg textbook is kicked 183 centimeters, what is the initial velocity right as it left the foot?

Homework Equations



fk-ma/W
Vf^2=Vo^2*2aΔx

The Attempt at a Solution


We were given no time, no acceleration, and no force. I'm completely at a loss!
this is what I have, but I don't think it's correct:
I found acceleration by applying the rule: 1N is a force that when applied to object with mass of 1kg, produces an acceleration of 1 m/s^2. So i converted the 1.428 kg into 14.0 N, which (hopefully) means the acceleration is 14 m/s^2
then I used the second equation to solve for initial velocity.

Now, this could be completely wrong, and I will venture to guess that it is. So if maybe someone could double check the work here, or even possibly come up with a completely different way of solving it..
 
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This problem makes sense if you assume that the book is kicked straight up in the air in which case the mass is irrelevant. If the book slides across a horizontal floor, a higher initial velocity than the expected answer can be compensated by a less slippery floor which means that there is no unique answer. Are you sure you have provided all the information that was given to you?
 
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I second what kuruman said.
However, I'd like to ask you this: what made you think that there's a force other than that of gravity acting on the book?