Resource Packet: Sample

Introduce the quadratic function relating height and time: h(t) = 16t
2
+ v0t + h0 with h(t) representing
height (as a function of time) in feet, t representing time in seconds, v0 representing the initial velocity in
feet per second, h0 representing the initial height in feet, and 16 being the gravity constant in feet per
second squared.

This equation is a standard when modeling an object fired/thrown straight up in the air. Reiterate that
height is a function of the time in the air: h(t).

Ask the students what we need to find out in order to create a workable equation (v0 and h0).

The students should respond that we can measure the initial height it is the height when the ball is
released by the thrower. How would we measure it? Have the students take meter sticks to measure the
height of the students hand when they anticipate the ball will be released. You may encourage the
students to try this a few times to see what height the thrower releases the ball at. Also, what if the
student will release it at a height of 5 feet 9 inches? Students may need to be instructed on how to
convert their height into only feet (5 feet, 9 inches = 5.75 feet).

The harder variable to find is the initial velocity. Students may say that we could use a radar gun, but my
students dont have one and even if you did, it would be hard to accurately determine it. Students may
also say that we need a height and corresponding time. These will be helpful for the next part of the
lesson, but students should understand that a quadratic function written this way has an infinite number
of heights and time that exist and these are the two variables that should remain variables in the final
equation.

Since we have determined that we need the initial velocity to create the initial equation, how
can we find it without a way of accurately measuring it?

Focus the students attention on the fact that after plugging the initial height into the equation there are
three variables left: the initial velocity, height and time. If we can determine a height and corresponding
time, we can plug those in and solve for the initial velocity. See example below:

Now that we have figured out that we need a height and time, how are we going to find one?
Have the students brainstorm how we can find an accurate height and time.






Possible answers:
Use the initial height and time zero (plugging this time in will cause all the other variables
will cancel out);
We could time the ball until it reaches the initial height again (wed have to catch it, but this
is not easy or accurate);
We could create a net or catch the ball at a certain height and stop the watch when it is
caught (not easy to catch and/or build something);
Eventually you will want to lead the students to stopping the watch when the ball hits the
ground.

So, all of this was just to create the equation. How do we determine the maximum height?

Students should know how to calculate the vertex from a quadratic equation as mentioned earlier in the
lesson.

Ask the students how accurate they think this will be? What are some of the factors that might
affect its accuracy? How can we make it more accurate?

The students should realize that doing an experiment multiple times will help it be more accurate. Tell
them to throw the ball a minimum of three times for each person. They should take the average of their
throws and use this time to build their own equation.

Examples:

Student A releases the ball at a height of 6 feet, 3 inches (6.25 feet). After three trials, the following
times are recorded when the ball hits the ground: 3.1, 3.5, 3 seconds. The ball hits the ground, on
average, after 3.2 seconds.

Begin with the equation: h(t) = 16t
2
+ v0t + h0
Insert known values: 0 = 16(3.2)
2
+ v0(3.2) + 6.25
Solve for v0: 0 = 163.84 + 3.2v0 + 6.25
157.59 = 3.2v0
49.246875 = v0

Equation for Student A: h(t) = 16t
2
+ 49.246875t + 6.25

Calculate the vertex: t = b/(2a)
t = 49.246875/(2*16)
t = 49.246875/32
t = 1.539023438 seconds (the time of the vertex)
h(1.53) = 16(1.53)
2
+ 49.246875(1.53) + 6.25
h(1.53) = 44.1446feet (the height of the vertex)

Student As ball had a maximum height of 44.145 feet high (after 1.539 seconds).
Their throw was 38.145 feet high after subtracting their initial height.
Student B releases the ball at a height of 6 feet. After three trials, the following times are recorded
when the ball hits the ground: 4.5, 4.7, 4.4 seconds. The ball hits the ground, on average, after
approximately 4.53 seconds.

Begin with the equation: h(t) = 16t
2
+ v0t + h0
Insert known values: 0 = 16(4.53)
2
+ v0(4.53) + 6
Solve for v0: 0 = 328.82 + 4.53v0 + 6
322.82 = 4.53v0
71.21 = v0

Equation for Student B: h(t) = 16t
2
+ 71.21t + 6

Calculate the vertex: t = b/(2a)
t = 71.21/(2*16)
t = 41.21/32
t = 2.23 seconds (the time of the vertex)
h(2.23) = 16(2.23)
2
+ 71.21(2.23) + 6
h(2.23) = 85.23feet (the height of the vertex)

Student Bs ball had a maximum height of 85.23feet high (after 2.23 seconds).
Their throw was 79.23 feet high after subtracting their height.


Student C releases the ball at a height of 5 feet, 3 inches (5.25 feet). After three trials, the following
times are recorded when the ball hits the ground: 1.6, 1.6, 1.9 seconds. The ball hits the ground, on
average, after 1.7 seconds.

Begin with the equation: h(t) = 16t
2
+ v0t + h0
Insert known values: 0 = 16(1.7)
2
+ v0(1.7) + 5.25
Solve for v0: 0 = 46.24 + 1.7v0 + 5.25
40.99 = 1.7v0
24.11 = v0

Final equation for student: h(t) = 16t
2
+ 24.11t + 5.25

Calculate the vertex: t = b/(2a)
t = 24.11/(2*16)
t = 24.11/32
t = 0.75 seconds (the time of the vertex)
h(0.75) = 16(0.75)
2
+ 24.11(0.75) + 5.25
h(0.75) = 14.34feet (the height of the vertex)

Student Cs ball had a maximum height of 14.34feet high (after 0.75 seconds).
Their throw was 9.09 feet high after subtracting their height.