Height of a Zero Gravity Parabolic

Flight

Math 1010 Pd. 2

Final Project
Aspen Landgren Madi Carlson

Equations
Using the formula given h=at^2+bt+c and the chart

provided, we plugged in the values for h and t.

1. 23,645=4a+2b+c
2. 32,015=400a+20b+c
3. 33,715=1600a+40b+c

Solving the Equation

Using elimination, we found the values of a, b, and c.
1. We eliminated b.
1. 23,645=4a+2b+c (-10)
2. 32,015=400a+20b+c

2. By multiplying the first equation by -10, we can

cancel out the b.

-236,450=-40a-20b-10c
+ 32,015=400a+20b+c
-204,435=360a-9c

 Next, we used equations 2 and 3 to eliminate b again.

2.
3.

32,015=400a+20b+c
33,715=1600a+40b+c

Next, we multiplied equation number two by -2 so the bs

would cancel out.

-64,030=-800a-40b-2c
33,715=1,600a+40b+c
-30,315=800a-c

Now we are using the 2 new equations to cancel out c.

-204,435=360a-9c
-30,315=800a-c

We multiplied the 2nd equation by (-9)

272,835=-72,00+9c

 Now that we did that we can cancel the cs out which gives us

the value of a.
-204,435=360a-9c
272,835=72,00+9c
a=-10

We substitute the a value into one equation above.

-204,435=360(-10)-9c -204,435=3,600-9c

c=22,315

We put the a and c values into one of the original equations to

solve for b.
23,645=4(-10)+2b+(22,315)
23,645=-40+2b+22,315
23,645=22,275+2b
1,370=2b
b=685

Conclusion
Our variables ended up becoming, a=-10, b=685, and

c=22,315. We put the variables into the quadratic

model, f(x)=ax^2+bx+c.

F(x)=-10x^2+685x+22,315

Maximum Value
To find the max value we need to find x by using the

equation (-b/2a)
X=-685/2(-10)
x=34.25

We put the x value into our equation

f(x)=10x^2=685x+22,315
f(x)=-10(34.25)^2+685(34.25)=22,135

33,865.625

The max value point is 33,865.625

Next we plotted the points onto a graph that we got from

the chart given and the max value. x=34.25 and

y=33,865.625

Reflective
This changed how we think about math in everyday life. We
didnt really notice you could use math situations to a flight
pattern. We now know how to determine parabolic angles
of certain things. We can now use this to figure out things
like throwing a ball in the air, or a swimmer diving into the
water.

40,000

35,000

(34.25,33,866)

(40,33,715.00)

34.25

40

(20,32,015)

30,000

H
e
i
g
h
t

25,000

(2, 23,645)

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
2

20

Time