How to graph the quadratic function.

Question

In Exercises 1–4, use the following information.

A punter kicked a 41-yard punt. The path of the football can be modeled by y􏰀=-􏰁0.035x^2+1.4x+1, where x is the distance (in yards) the football is kicked and y is the height (in yards) the football is kicked.

1. Does the graph open up or down?

2. Does the graph have a maximum value or a minimum value?

3. Graph the quadratic function.

4. Find the maximum height of the football.

Answer 1

You can use desmos or a graphing calculator to graph y = -0.035x² + 1.4x + 1. Doing so will get you something like this:

So the parabola opens down. Consequently, it has a maximum and that maximum height is 15 yards.