Exercise image

Amanita, let's carefully solve the problem inside the green rectangle, which is problem 13. Here’s what the problem says and how we’ll solve it step by step:

Problem Summary: A ball is thrown straight up from the ground with a speed of 20 m/s. The height xx (in meters) after tt seconds is given by:

x=20t5t2x = 20t - 5t^2

We are asked to find the maximum height the ball reaches, for 0t40 \leq t \leq 4.


Step-by-Step Solution Plan

Step 1: Understand the formula

  • The formula x=20t5t2x = 20t - 5t^2 gives the height at any time tt.
  • This is a quadratic equation, which forms a parabola opening downwards (because the t2t^2 term is negative).

Step 2: Find the time when the ball reaches its maximum height

  • The maximum value of a quadratic x=at2+bt+cx = at^2 + bt + c (with a<0a < 0) occurs at t=b2at = -\frac{b}{2a}.
  • Here, a=5a = -5, b=20b = 20.

Step 3: Calculate the time tt at which the maximum height occurs

  • Plug the values into the formula to find tt.

Step 4: Find the maximum height

  • Substitute the value of tt back into the original equation to get the maximum height.

Step 5: Check if the time is within the allowed range (0t40 \leq t \leq 4)

  • If it is, that’s our answer. If not, check the height at the endpoints t=0t = 0 and t=4t = 4.

Now, let's execute each step in detail.


Step 3: Calculate the time tt at which the maximum height occurs

t=b2a=202×(5)t = -\frac{b}{2a} = -\frac{20}{2 \times (-5)}

Let's calculate this value. Amanita, let's continue with the solution:

From our calculation, the time when the ball reaches its maximum height is:

t=2 secondst = 2 \text{ seconds}

Now, let's find the maximum height by substituting t=2t = 2 into the height formula:

x=20t5t2x = 20t - 5t^2

x=20×25×(22)x = 20 \times 2 - 5 \times (2^2)

x=4020=20x = 40 - 20 = 20

So, the maximum height the ball reaches is:

20 meters\boxed{20 \text{ meters}}

This value is within the allowed time range (0t40 \leq t \leq 4), so it is our final answer.