Function hh gives the height of a tennis ball, in feet, tt seconds after it is tossed straight up in the air. The equation h(t) = -16t^2 + 12t + 10 defines function h.

Question

Function hh gives the height of a tennis ball, in feet, tt seconds after it is tossed straight up in the air. The equation h(t) = -16t^2 + 12t + 10 defines function h.

Write and Solve an equation to find when the ball hits the ground. SHOW ALL YOUR WORK!

Answer 1

The height of the ball when it's on the ground is 0. So set h(t) = 0 and solve for t:

0 = -16t² + 12t + 10

You can simplify the equation by dividing both sides of the equation by -2:

0 = 8t² - 6t - 5

You can factor the equation or use the quadratic formula to solve for t. You'll get two answers, one positive and one negative. Since we haven't figured out how to go back in time yet, the positive value is the answer, The units are seconds.