Question

A sandbag was thrown downward from a building. The function f(t) = -16t2 - 32t + 384 shows the height f(t), in feet, of the sandbag after t seconds:

Part A: Factor the function f(t) and use the factors to interpret the meaning of the x-intercept of the function. (4 points)

Part B: Complete the square of the expression for f(x) to determine the vertex of the graph of f(x). Would this be a maximum or minimum on the graph? (4 points)

Part C: Use your answer in part B to determine the axis of symmetry for f(x)? (2 points)

Answer 1

\[ f(t) = -16t^2 - 32t + 384 \] factor out the \(-16\) first and start with
\[f(t)=-16(t^2+2t-24)\] then it should be easy to factor

Answer 2

f(t) = -16(t+6) (t-4)

Answer 3

@satellite73