Math Problem Statement

If a ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 160 ft/s, then its height after t seconds is 

s = 160t − 16t2.

 If a ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 160 ft/s, then its height after t seconds is 

s = 160t − 16t2(Consider up to be the positive direction.)

(a)

What is the maximum height (in ft) reached by the ball?

  ft

(b)

What is the velocity (in ft/s) of the ball when it is 384 ft above the ground on its way up?

  ft/s

What is the velocity (in ft/s) of the ball when it is 384 ft above the ground on its way down?

  ft/s

Solution

To solve these problems, let's start by analyzing the given equation for the height ss of the ball after tt seconds:

s=160t16t2s = 160t - 16t^2

Part (a): Maximum Height Reached by the Ball

The height ss will be maximized when the velocity v=dsdtv = \frac{ds}{dt} is zero (since at the maximum height, the ball momentarily stops before descending).

  1. Calculate the derivative of ss: v=dsdt=16032tv = \frac{ds}{dt} = 160 - 32t

  2. Set the velocity vv to zero and solve for tt: 16032t=0160 - 32t = 0 32t=16032t = 160 t=5 secondst = 5 \text{ seconds}

  3. Calculate the maximum height by substituting t=5t = 5 back into the height equation: s=160(5)16(5)2s = 160(5) - 16(5)^2 s=8001625s = 800 - 16 \cdot 25 s=800400s = 800 - 400 s=400 fts = 400 \text{ ft}

Answer for (a): The maximum height reached by the ball is 400 ft.


Part (b): Velocity of the Ball at s=384s = 384 ft

To find the velocity when the ball is at 384 ft, we need to determine the time(s) tt at which s=384s = 384 ft.

  1. Set up the equation: 384=160t16t2384 = 160t - 16t^2

  2. Rewrite this as a standard quadratic equation: 16t2160t+384=016t^2 - 160t + 384 = 0 t210t+24=0t^2 - 10t + 24 = 0

  3. Solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula: t=(10)±(10)2412421t = \frac{-(-10) \pm \sqrt{(-10)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 24}}{2 \cdot 1} t=10±100962t = \frac{10 \pm \sqrt{100 - 96}}{2} t=10±42t = \frac{10 \pm \sqrt{4}}{2} t=10±22t = \frac{10 \pm 2}{2}

    So, the two values of tt are: t=122=6 seconds (on the way up)t = \frac{12}{2} = 6 \text{ seconds (on the way up)} t=82=4 seconds (on the way down)t = \frac{8}{2} = 4 \text{ seconds (on the way down)}

  4. Calculate the velocity at t=4t = 4 and t=6t = 6 seconds:

    Using v=16032tv = 160 - 32t:

    • At t=4t = 4 seconds: v=16032(4)=160128=32 ft/sv = 160 - 32(4) = 160 - 128 = 32 \text{ ft/s}

    • At t=6t = 6 seconds: v=16032(6)=160192=32 ft/sv = 160 - 32(6) = 160 - 192 = -32 \text{ ft/s}

Answer for (b):

  • The velocity when the ball is 384 ft above the ground on the way up is 32 ft/s.
  • The velocity when the ball is 384 ft above the ground on the way down is -32 ft/s.

Would you like further details on any of these steps, or is there anything specific you would like to explore further?


  1. What is the initial velocity and how does it affect the ball's trajectory?
  2. How do we derive the time at which the maximum height is reached?
  3. Why does the velocity become zero at the highest point of the motion?
  4. What are the two types of motion phases in projectile problems like this one?
  5. Can we determine the total time the ball is in the air?

Tip: When analyzing vertical motion, remember that the acceleration due to gravity will always act downward, even if the initial velocity is upward.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Quadratic Equations
Projectile Motion
Velocity and Acceleration

Formulas

s(t) = 160t - 16t^2 (height function)
v = ds/dt = 160 - 32t (velocity function)
Quadratic formula: t = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a

Theorems

Maximum value of a quadratic function
Derivative for finding velocity

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12