(a) The maximum height can be found at the vertex of the parabola.

Specifically, it is the y-coordinate of

the vertex.

The given equation has the form of:

2
h ( t )=a t + bt+ c
From the equation:

a=−16 , b=55 , c=4.5

Solve for the x-coordinate of the vertex using the following formula:

−b
2a
The x-coordinate is:

−55
=1.71875
2 (−16 )
The y-coordinate of the vertex can be solved by substituting the x-coordinate into the equation.
Substitute t = 1.71875
2
h ( t )=−16 ( 1.71875 ) +55 ( 1.71875 ) + 4.5=51.765625
max height =51.765625
b. Solve for t, when h(t) = 20 ft.
2
20=−16 t +55 t+ 4.5
2
0=−16 t +55 t−15.5
Use quadratic formula:

−b ± √ b −4 ac −55 ± √ 55 −4 (−16)(−15 .5)

2 2
t= =
2a 2(−16)
t=0.3097∧3.1278
We will use t = 3.1278 because we want the time at which the ball is now falling down. If we use
t=0.3097, that will be when the ball is still going upwards.

We want to find how long until it falls down to the ground once its already at 20 ft going downwards, so
we still need to find the time at which it falls to the ground.

Solve for t, when h(t) = 0 ft

2
0=−16 t +55 t +4.5
Use quadratic formula again to get:

t=−0.0799∧3.5175
Disregard the negative time value because there is no such thing as negative time. Use t = 3.5175.

When the ball is at 20ft downwards, it has travelled for a time of t = 3.1278 seconds and it will hit the
ground by t = 3.5175 seconds. This means that it still has a remaining:

t=3.5175−3.1278=0.3897
It needs t = 0.3897 seconds more before it hits the ground.