Question

Precalc story problem, please help?

Jaimie and LaShawna are standing at the edge of a cliff that is 150 feet high. At the same time, LaShawna drops a stone and Jaimie throws a stone horizontally at a velocity of 35 ft/s.

a. About how far apart will the stones be when they land?

b. Will the stones land at the same time? Explain.

I know this has something to do with parametric equations, but I don't really understand it.

Answer 1

What specifically would you like to learn from someone else on OpenStudy about this particular problem?

Answer 2

@mathmale I'm good with part b of this question, but I would like to know how I would go about finding how far apart the stones would be when they land. I know the general forms of parametric equations, but I don't see how I can use them to find the distance between the stones.

Answer 3

I'm curious how you answered Part b.

Answer 4

ack heheh, I more or less got part b, using initial velocity equation
the one I haven't is part a =)

Answer 5

Same here @jdoe0001

Answer 6

@girlnotonfire : would you please share your conclusion regarding part b?

Answer 7

Yes, because they both take 3.06 seconds to reach the ground.

Answer 8

All right. If the initial horiz velocity of the stone thrown horiz. by Jaime is 35 ft/sec, and the stone is in motion for 3.06 sec, how far does the stone travel horizontally?

Answer 9

107.1ft?

Answer 10

Yes. What is the correct answer to part (a)?

Answer 11

107ft

Answer 12

Sorry about delayed responses, my Internet is slow. Thank you for your help!

Answer 13

I think you have a very good understanding of this problem now.
Gravity affects both stones in the same manner; both will hit the ground at the same time. Calculating that time enables you to calculate how far one of the stones will travel horizontally. Congrats! Nice work.