Math Problem Statement

A toy rocket is launched from the top of a building 141 feet tall at an initial velocity of 199 feet per second. ​a) Give the function that describes the height of the rocket in terms of time t. ​b) Determine the time at which the rocket reaches its maximum​ height, and the maximum height in feet. ​c) For what time interval will the rocket be more than 733 feet above ground​ level? ​d) After how many seconds will it hit the​ ground? Question content area bottom Part 1 ​a) The function that describes the height of the rocket in terms of t is s left parenthesis t right parenthesis equals negative 16 t squared plus 199 t plus 141 .    Part 2 ​b) The rocket reaches its maximum height of    761.66 feet after approximately    6.22 seconds. ​(Round to the nearest hundredth as​ needed.)

Solution

Let’s work through the parts of this problem step-by-step.


Part 1: Function for height s(t)s(t)

The motion of the rocket is governed by the formula for height in projectile motion:
s(t)=16t2+v0t+h0s(t) = -16t^2 + v_0t + h_0
where:

  • 16t2-16t^2 is the acceleration due to gravity (in feet/second²),
  • v0=199v_0 = 199 ft/s is the initial velocity,
  • h0=141h_0 = 141 ft is the initial height.

Thus, the function describing the height is: s(t)=16t2+199t+141s(t) = -16t^2 + 199t + 141


Part 2: Time of maximum height and maximum height

The time tt at which the rocket reaches its maximum height occurs at the vertex of the parabola, which is calculated as: t=b2at = -\frac{b}{2a} Here, a=16a = -16 and b=199b = 199. Substituting: t=1992(16)=199326.22seconds.t = -\frac{199}{2(-16)} = \frac{199}{32} \approx 6.22 \, \text{seconds.}

To find the maximum height, substitute t=6.22t = 6.22 into s(t)s(t): s(6.22)=16(6.22)2+199(6.22)+141s(6.22) = -16(6.22)^2 + 199(6.22) + 141 s(6.22)16(38.6884)+199(6.22)+141s(6.22) \approx -16(38.6884) + 199(6.22) + 141 s(6.22)619.01+1237.78+141761.77feet.s(6.22) \approx -619.01 + 1237.78 + 141 \approx 761.77 \, \text{feet.}

Thus:

  • Maximum height: 761.77 feet
  • Time to reach max height: 6.22 seconds

Part 3: Time interval when the rocket is above 733 feet

To find when s(t)>733s(t) > 733, solve: 16t2+199t+141=733-16t^2 + 199t + 141 = 733 Simplify: 16t2+199t592=0-16t^2 + 199t - 592 = 0 Solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula: t=b±b24ac2at = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} Here, a=16a = -16, b=199b = 199, c=592c = -592. Substituting: t=199±19924(16)(592)2(16)t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{199^2 - 4(-16)(-592)}}{2(-16)} t=199±396013795232t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{39601 - 37952}}{-32} t=199±164932t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{1649}}{-32} t=199±40.632t = \frac{-199 \pm 40.6}{-32} t1=199+40.632andt2=19940.632t_1 = \frac{-199 + 40.6}{-32} \quad \text{and} \quad t_2 = \frac{-199 - 40.6}{-32} t14.95seconds,t27.49seconds.t_1 \approx 4.95 \, \text{seconds,} \quad t_2 \approx 7.49 \, \text{seconds.}

The rocket is above 733 feet between 4.95 seconds and 7.49 seconds.


Part 4: Time to hit the ground

The rocket hits the ground when s(t)=0s(t) = 0: 16t2+199t+141=0-16t^2 + 199t + 141 = 0 Using the quadratic formula: t=b±b24ac2at = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} Substitute a=16a = -16, b=199b = 199, c=141c = 141: t=199±19924(16)(141)2(16)t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{199^2 - 4(-16)(141)}}{2(-16)} t=199±39601+902432t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{39601 + 9024}}{-32} t=199±4862532t = \frac{-199 \pm \sqrt{48625}}{-32} t=199±220.532t = \frac{-199 \pm 220.5}{-32} t1=199+220.532andt2=199220.532t_1 = \frac{-199 + 220.5}{-32} \quad \text{and} \quad t_2 = \frac{-199 - 220.5}{-32} t10.67(not valid)andt213.11seconds.t_1 \approx -0.67 \, \text{(not valid)} \quad \text{and} \quad t_2 \approx 13.11 \, \text{seconds.}

The rocket hits the ground after approximately 13.11 seconds.


Final Answers

a) Function: s(t)=16t2+199t+141s(t) = -16t^2 + 199t + 141
b) Maximum height: 761.77761.77 feet at t=6.22t = 6.22 seconds
c) Above 733 feet between t=4.95t = 4.95 and t=7.49t = 7.49 seconds
d) Hits the ground at t=13.11t = 13.11 seconds


Would you like further details or assistance?
Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. How is the quadratic formula derived, and how does it apply to this problem?
  2. What is the significance of gravity (16t2-16t^2) in the function?
  3. How would the problem change with a different initial velocity?
  4. What if the building height were doubled—how would it affect the results?
  5. Can you graph s(t)s(t) to visualize the rocket's motion?

Tip: When solving quadratic equations, always check if factoring or completing the square is simpler than using the quadratic formula.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Quadratic Functions
Projectile Motion
Vertex of a Parabola

Formulas

Height function: s(t) = -16t^2 + v₀t + h₀
Vertex formula: t = -b / (2a)
Quadratic equation formula: t = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / (2a)

Theorems

Properties of Quadratic Functions
Quadratic Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12