A softball pitcher throws a softball to a catcher behind home plate. The softball is 3 feet above the ground when it leaves the pitcher’s hand at a velocity of 50 feet per second. If the softball’s acceleration is –16 ft/s2, which quadratic equation models the situation correctly?

h(t) = at2 + vt + h0
h(t) = 50t2 – 16t + 3
h(t) = –16t2 + 50t + 3
3 = –16t2 + 50t + h0
3 = 50t2 – 16t + h0

Question

A softball pitcher throws a softball to a catcher behind home plate. The softball is 3 feet above the ground when it leaves the pitcher’s hand at a velocity of 50 feet per second. If the softball’s acceleration is –16 ft/s2, which quadratic equation models the situation correctly?

h(t) = at2 + vt + h0
h(t) = 50t2 – 16t + 3
h(t) = –16t2 + 50t + 3
3 = –16t2 + 50t + h0
3 = 50t2 – 16t + h0