Solve "Calculator Problem" Homework - x,y Parametric Equations, Graph, c & d

[Lindeza]

Homework Statement

An airplane flying at an altitude of 3500 feet is dropping supplies to researchers on an island. The path of the plane is parallel to the ground at the time the supplies are released and the plane is traveling at a speed of 300 mph.
a) write the parametric equations that represent the path of the suppies
b)graph the path of the suppies on your graphing calculator and sketch the graph.
c)How long will it take for the supplies to reach the ground?
d) how far will the suppies travel horizontally before they land?
I think I can do c and d, but I can't figure out b. The graph won't work.
Its probably just that my equations are wrong. I have tried several window settings on my calculator ( Ti-84), the calculator is set in parametric mode&degrees, but it won't work.
Thanks for your help :)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I came up with these equations: (although I know that the first equation equals zero...)
x=t*l300l*cos(90)
y=t*l300l*sin(90)+1/2*(-32)t²+3500

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi again Lindeza!

although I know that the first equation equals zero...

hmm … funny that … i wonder why that is … ?

i] what is the physical meaning, in ordinary language, of x=t*l300l*cos(90)
in this context?

ii] are you sure it's cos?

 

[Lindeza]

I think I know what it is now...:)
the y equation is correct, but the x equation is
x=t*300...
and I just graphed it without my calculator...still don't know why it didn't work...
but thanks for your help anyways!