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Ch. 2 - Limits
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBriggs 3rd EditionCh. 2 - LimitsProblem 2.31a
Chapter 2, Problem 2.31a

A projectile is fired vertically upward and has a position given by s(t)=−16t^2+128t+192, for 0≤t≤9.


a. Graph the position function, for 0≤t≤9.

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Understand the position function s(t) = -16t^2 + 128t + 192, which represents the height of the projectile at time t. This is a quadratic function, indicating that the graph will be a parabola.
Step 2: Identify the key features of the parabola. The coefficient of t^2 is negative, so the parabola opens downwards. The vertex of the parabola will give the maximum height of the projectile.
Step 3: Find the vertex of the parabola. The vertex form of a quadratic function is given by t = -b/(2a), where a = -16 and b = 128. Substitute these values to find the time at which the maximum height occurs.
Step 4: Calculate the maximum height by substituting the time found in Step 3 back into the position function s(t). This will give the maximum height of the projectile.
Step 5: Plot the graph of the position function s(t) = -16t^2 + 128t + 192 for 0 ≤ t ≤ 9. Mark the vertex and the intercepts on the graph to visualize the trajectory of the projectile.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Quadratic Functions

The position function s(t) = -16t^2 + 128t + 192 is a quadratic function, characterized by its parabolic shape. Quadratic functions can be expressed in the standard form ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are constants. The coefficient 'a' determines the direction of the parabola (upward or downward), while 'b' and 'c' affect its position and vertex.
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Graphing Techniques

Graphing a quadratic function involves identifying key features such as the vertex, axis of symmetry, and intercepts. The vertex can be found using the formula t = -b/(2a), which gives the time at which the projectile reaches its maximum height. The x-intercepts (roots) can be found using the quadratic formula, and the y-intercept is simply the value of s(0).
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Projectile Motion

Projectile motion describes the motion of an object under the influence of gravity, typically modeled by a quadratic function. In this case, the function s(t) represents the height of the projectile over time, with the negative coefficient indicating that gravity is acting downward. Understanding the principles of projectile motion helps in analyzing the behavior of the object, including its maximum height and time of flight.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Complete the following steps for the given functions. 


a. Find the slant asymptote of ff.


f(x)=4x3+4x2+7x+4x2+1f\(\left\)(x\(\right\))=\(\frac{4x^3+4x^2+7x+4}{x^2+1}\)

Textbook Question

a. Estimate lim x→π/4 cos 2x / cos x − sin x by making a table of values of cos 2x / cos x − sin x for values of x approaching π/4. Round your estimate to four digits.

Textbook Question

Tangent lines with zero slope


a. Graph the function f(x)=x^2−4x+3.

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Textbook Question

a. Use a graphing utility to estimate lim x→0 tan 2x / sin x, lim x→0 tan 3x / sin x, and lim x→0 tan 4x / sin x.

Textbook Question

Let g(x)=x3−4x8∣x−2∣g\(\left\)(x\(\right\))=\(\frac{x^3-4x}{8\left|x-2\right|}\). <IMAGE>

Calculate g(x)g\(\left\)(x\(\right\)) for each value of xx in the following table.

Textbook Question

A rock is dropped off the edge of a cliff, and its distance s (in feet) from the top of the cliff after t seconds is s(t)=16t^2. Assume the distance from the top of the cliff to the ground is 96 ft.


a. When will the rock strike the ground?