A rocket fired into the air is modeled by the function h(t)=-16t^2 + 160t. How many seconds is the rocket in the air?

2 Answers
Jun 8, 2016

The rocket will be in the air for 10 seconds.

Explanation:

We have to find out the positive values of x for which h(x)>=0.

We can do it algebraicly:

-16t^2+160t>=0

-16t*(t-10)>=0

t_1=0, t_2=10

Since the coefficient next to x^2 is nagative (-16), the solution of this inequality is t in <0;10>, so the rocket's flight will last 10 seconds.

We can also solve this task using graph of the function:

graph{-16x^2+160x [-50, 50,-20, 428]}

From this graph we clearly see, that the height is not lower than zero for t in <0;10>

Jun 8, 2016

10s

Explanation:

Given is
h(t)=-16t^2+160t
It has not been explicitly given but it is presumed that h is the height of rocket and t is time in seconds.

Clearly the rocket will be in air between the time interval from t_0=0 and t=t_1 when height of the rocket is zero.
Setting the height h(t)=0 and solving for t
-16t^2+160t=0
Factorizing we obtain
-16t(t-10)=0
We have two values of t

  1. from first factor
    t=0
  2. from second factor
    (t-10)=0
    => t=10

We obtain t_1-t_0=10 seconds is time for which the rocket is in the air.
Graphically
graph{y=-16x^2+160x [-5, 15,-15, 428]}
height h is plotted as y and time t as x
We obtain time of flight as t=10