Q72. - Algebra 1

Question

OPEN-ENDED Describe a real-world situation that involves a quadratic equation. Explain what the vertex represents.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

A real-world situation is a path traveled by a ball thrown in the air represented by a downward parabola. Vertex of parabola represents the maximum height that the ball attains during its flight in the air.

Step 1. Example.

A real-world example: representation of a path traveled by a ball thrown in the air through a downward parabola.

Step 2. Value of a .

The equation of the path of a ball thrown in the air will be a quadratic equation, where the value of a is $a<0$.

Step 3. Vertex.

Here, the vertex will be the maximum point of the parabola. Therefore, it will represent the maximum height that the ball attains during its flight in the air.