Question

Check my answer?

A model rocket is launched from a roof into a large field. The path of the rocket can be modeled by the equation y = -0.02x^2 + 2.3x + 6, where x is the horizontal distance, in meters, from the starting point on the roof and y is the height, in meters, of the rocket above the ground. How far horizontally from its starting point will the rocket land?
>57.50 m
>115.00 m *****
>117.55 m
>235.10 m

***** = my answer

Answer 1

This is finding the zeros of the quadratic equation, and in this case, the simplest way to do that is the quadratic equation. \[\frac{ -2.3\pm \sqrt{2.3^2-4(-0.02)(6)} }{ 2(-0.02) }\]
That all simplifies into \[\frac{ -2.3 \pm \sqrt{5.77} }{ -0.04 }\]
But wait, there's more! That simplifies into some negative answer or 117.552060747, rounding to the 117.55.
(I could be wrong but I would doublecheck yourself)