16Hit1600
Advanced MathHardMaximum height and when it occurs

Advanced Math practice question

The height, in feet, of a ball t seconds after it is thrown is given by h(t) = −16t² + 64t. What is the maximum height the ball reaches?

  1. A. 64 feetCorrect
  2. B. 2 feet
  3. C. 128 feet
  4. D. 4 feet

Answer: A. 64 feet

The vertex is at t = −64/(2 × −16) = 2, and h(2) = −64 + 128 = 64.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 2 feet
2 is the TIME of the maximum, not the height.
C. 128 feet
128 is 64 × 2, the first term's value at t = 2 without the −16t² part.
D. 4 feet
4 is when the ball lands (h = 0).

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