My Math Forum Determine the height of the Mountain....

 Algebra Pre-Algebra and Basic Algebra Math Forum

April 29th, 2017, 10:47 AM   #1
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

Determine the height of the Mountain....

I am doing number 2 a is the height of the moutian as easy as just the 500? Thanks
Attached Images
 20170429_104506.jpg (89.4 KB, 14 views)

 April 29th, 2017, 11:01 AM #2 Math Team   Joined: Jul 2011 From: Texas Posts: 2,656 Thanks: 1327 yes ... height of the mountain is h(0) = 500 meters Thanks from GIjoefan1976
April 29th, 2017, 11:16 AM   #3
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

Quote:
 Originally Posted by skeeter yes ... height of the mountain is h(0) = 500 meters
Thanks Skeeter! If okay can I ask "c" is our starting point? so what are "a" and "b" I don't get where the get these numbers from?

 April 29th, 2017, 11:32 AM #4 Math Team   Joined: Jul 2011 From: Texas Posts: 2,656 Thanks: 1327 $a$ is the coefficient of the quadratic term, $a = -4.9$ $b$ is the coefficient of the linear term, $b = 196$ $c$ is the constant term, $c=500$ Thanks from GIjoefan1976
April 29th, 2017, 11:46 AM   #5
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

Quote:
 Originally Posted by skeeter $a$ is the coefficient of the quadratic term, $a = -4.9$ $b$ is the coefficient of the linear term, $b = 196$ $c$ is the constant term, $c=500$

Okay, I think I messed up my words again... I guess I am just confused how they got the numbers? How did they know what numbers to put in for a and c? I am guessing it's because they already had the numbers?

Cause now they want me to plug in numbers for a b and c I think, but by writing a new.... Assuming its height is a quadratic function of time, how long will it spend in the air?

A ball is thrown into the air from 6 feet above the ground. It reaches its maximum height of 18 feet in 3 seconds

So I would think c=6

18 is maybe our b

and a is maybe our unknown?

Last edited by skipjack; April 30th, 2017 at 12:29 AM.

April 29th, 2017, 12:00 PM   #6
Math Team

Joined: Jul 2011
From: Texas

Posts: 2,656
Thanks: 1327

The general equation for projectile motion in one dimension is $h(t) = -\dfrac{1}{2}gt^2 + v_0 \cdot t + h_0$

in English units, $g = 32 \, ft/sec^2$

in metric units, $g = 9.8 \, m/sec^2$

Quote:
 Originally Posted by GIjoefan1976 A ball is thrown into the air from 6 feet above the ground. It reaches its maximum height of 18 feet in 3 seconds
This problem is in English units (because height is given in feet)

$a = -16$

The $b$ value is the initial velocity of the projectile ... $b = v_0$

The $c$ value is the initial height of the projectile ... $c = h_0$

You are given $h(0) = 6 = c$ and $h(3) = 18$ ...

$18 = -16(3^2) + v_0(3) + 6$

Now you can solve for $b = v_0$ and determine the equation for height as a function of time.

Last edited by skipjack; April 30th, 2017 at 12:31 AM.

April 29th, 2017, 12:11 PM   #7
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter
The general equation for projectile motion in one dimension is $h(t) = -\dfrac{1}{2}gt^2 + v_0 \cdot t + h_0$

in English units, $g = 32 \, ft/sec^2$

in metric units, $g = 9.8 \, m/sec^2$

Quote:
 Originally Posted by GIjoefan1976 A ball is thrown into the air from 6 feet above the ground. It reaches its maximum height of 18 feet in 3 seconds
This problem is in English units (because height is given in feet)

$a = -16$

The $b$ value is the initial velocity of the projectile ... $b = v_0$

The $c$ value is the initial height of the projectile ... $c = h_0$

You are given $h(0) = 6 = c$ and $h(3) = 18$ ...

$18 = -16(3^2) + v_0(3) + 6$

Now you can solve for $b = v_0$ and determine the equation for height as a function of time.

Hmm okay, so other than from you, where would I have learned that g equals 32? and to halve it as you have?

Last edited by skipjack; April 30th, 2017 at 12:32 AM.

April 29th, 2017, 12:25 PM   #8
Math Team

Joined: Jul 2011
From: Texas

Posts: 2,656
Thanks: 1327

Quote:
 Originally Posted by GIjoefan1976 Hmm okay, so other than from you, where would I have learned that g equals 32? and to halve it as you have?
from ...

(a) your textbook if it has examples of these projectile motion problems

(b) your instructor if he/she did example problems in class

(c) yourself, if you did a web search ...

Last edited by skipjack; April 30th, 2017 at 12:33 AM.

April 29th, 2017, 09:55 PM   #9
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

Quote:
 Originally Posted by skeeter from ... (a) your textbook if it has examples of these projectile motion problems (b) your instructor if he/she did example problems in class (c) yourself, if you did a web search ... Quadratics in the real world
Okay thanks! Nope don't believe he ever said that 16 would always be our a...unless the problem gives us something for a? Really Super appreciate Your help and time!

April 30th, 2017, 09:08 AM   #10
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2016
From: seattle

Posts: 370
Thanks: 10

going back to the original problem /application

How come I am not coming up with a Decimal ?

Thanks
Attached Images
 WIN_20170430_09_07_10_Pro.jpg (86.2 KB, 4 views)

 Tags determine, height, mountain

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post rakmo Algebra 3 March 28th, 2013 06:20 AM eliotjames Advanced Statistics 3 October 7th, 2012 04:02 PM symmetry Algebra 3 July 29th, 2007 10:04 AM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top