Question

1. the height of a rocket launched upward is modeled by the function h(t)=-4.9t² + 29.4t + 5, where t is time in seconds. what does the term 5 represent?

a. the rockets starting speed
b. the maximum height the rocket reaches
c. the time it takes for the rocket to reach the ground
d. the rockets initial height at launch

Explanation:

The general form of a height - time function for vertical motion under gravity is $h(t)=- \frac{1}{2}gt^{2}+v_{0}t + h_{0}$, where $h_{0}$ is the initial height, $v_{0}$ is the initial velocity and $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity. In the given function $h(t)=-4.9t^{2}+29.4t + 5$, when $t = 0$ (at launch), $h(0)=5$. So the constant term 5 represents the initial height of the rocket at launch.

Answer:

d. The rocket's initial height at launch