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A tennis ball machine serves a ball vertically into the air from a height of 2 feet, with an initial speed of 110 feet per second. After how many seconds does the ball attain its maximum height?

Correct Answer: 3.44 sec

Explanation:

It is launched vertically with an initial speed of 110 ft/sec.


It will reach maximum height when the speed drops to 0.


Vo=110 feet per second 


ho=2 feet 


So, h(t) = -16t^2 +110t +2 


Take the derivative: h'(t) = 110 -32t 


The maximum height will be at the inflection when the derivative crosses the x-axis, then h'(t)=0. 


So, set h'(t)=0 and solve for t: 


0 = 110 -32t 


-110 = -32t 


t=3.4375 


t=3.44 seconds.


 


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