College Algebra Problem?
A ball is thrown across a playing field. Its path is given by the equation y= -0.005x^2 + x + 5, where x is the distance the ball has traveled horizontally, and y is its height above ground level, both measured in feet.
a. How far has it traveled horizontally when it hits the ground?
Comments
Depends how hard and high you throw it. More info required to answer this problem i.e. height?
y = -0.005x² + x + 5
y is its height above ground level
so when it hits the ground y = 0
so -0.005x² + x + 5 = 0
Now use the quadratic formula x = [-b ± â(b² - 4ac)] / 2a to find x (the distance the ball has traveled horizontally) ... just take the positive answer because the distance is positive
horizontally 144.72 feet hight 55.28 feet