McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012
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McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012 View details
9. Perfect Squares
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Exercise 44 Page 69

Use the formula h=-16t^2+ h_0 to solve for t.

t≈1.58

Practice makes perfect
We can use the formula h=-16t^2+ h_0 to approximate the time it takes for the balloon to hit the ground. Let's begin by identifying that h_0 is the initial height from which we are dropping the balloon. When the balloon impacts the ground is h. Therefore, we can substitute 0 for h and 40 for h_0. h=-16t^2+ h_0 ⇒ 0=-16t^2+ 40 Next, we can solve for t.
0=-16t^2+40
-40=-16t^2
Solve for t
40/16=t^2
5/2=t^2
±sqrt(5/2)=t
± 1.58≈ t
t ≈ ± 1.58
Mathematically our solution can be positive or negative. However, in this scenario, a negative solution does not make sense. Our solution must then be t≈ 1.58.