Quadratic functions problem..

The following function gives the height h metres, of a batted baseball as a function of the time, t seconds, since the ball was hit.
h = -4.5t2 + 13.5t + 5.875

a) What is the physical significance of the 5.875? Prove this is true.

b) Determine the characteristics of the quadratic function (hint: Write in standard form).

c) What is the geometric significance of the left t-intercept of the graph? Why does this point have no real physical meaning?

Question

Quadratic functions problem..

The following function gives the height h metres, of a batted baseball as a function of the time, t seconds, since the ball was hit.
h = -4.5t2 + 13.5t + 5.875

a) What is the physical significance of the 5.875? Prove this is true.

b) Determine the characteristics of the quadratic function (hint: Write in standard form).

c) What is the geometric significance of the left t-intercept of the graph? Why does this point have no real physical meaning?

anonymous · Answer

a) The initial height is 5.875, because plugging in t=0 gives so. I think this is what they want not sure.

b) Factor our -4.5 and then complete the square

c) It shows at which time the ball hits the ground, it has no physical meaning because the time is negative.