The distance an object falls when dropped from a tower varies directly as the square of the time it falls. If the object falls 144 feet in 3 seconds, how far will it fall in 17 seconds?

Because the distance varies directly as the square of time, write d = kt². Using 144 feet at 3 seconds gives k = 144 ÷ 3² = 16, so at 17 seconds the distance is 16 × 17² = 16 × 289 = 4,624 feet. The correct choice is c, 4,624 ft.

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