Greg is a famous Olympic diver. One of his dives was recorded and the pathway of his dive can be represented by the equation ℎ=−16𝑡2+17𝑡+20 . At what time does Greg hit the water?

Answer 1

h(t) =-16t^2+17t + 20 = 0 set it equal to zero, because 0 represents ground or water level

solve for t. Use the quadratic formula, t=-b/2a + (1/2a)sqr(b^2 - 4ac), a=-16, b=17, c =20

t = -17/32 + (1/32)sqr(289+1280) = about 0.71 seconds to hit the water