The height h in feet of an object after t seconds is given by the fraction h = -16t^2 + 30t + 8. How long will it take the object to hit the ground? Round answer to the nearest thousandth?

1 Answer
Jun 6, 2017

It will take 2.112 seconds for object to hit ground.

Explanation:

The height of ground level is considered as 0.

as h=-16t^2+30t+8, it will be zero, when

-16t^2+30t+8=0

or 16t^2-30t-8=0 anddividing by 2

8t^2-15t-4=0

Using quadratic formula t=(-(-15)+-sqrt((-15)^2-4xx8xx(-4)))/16

= (15+-sqrt(225+128))/16

= (15+-sqrt353)/16

= (15+-18.7883)/16, but as we cannot have t negative

t=33.7883/16=2.112 seconds