9
QuizMultiple Choice

Modeling with Systems

Question 9 • MO-Algebra II A

A basketball player is shooting a basketball toward the net. The height, in feet, of the ball t seconds after the shot is modeled by the equation h = 6 + 30t – 16t2. Two-tenths of a second after the shot is launched, an opposing player leaps up to block the shot. The height of the shot blocker’s outstretched hands t seconds after he leaps is modeled by the equation h = 9 + 25t – 16t2. If the ball was on a path to reach the net 1.7 seconds after the shooter launches it, does the leaping player block the shot?

Answer
A
yes, exactly 0.6 seconds after the shot is launched
B
yes, between 0.64 seconds and 0.65 seconds after the shot is launched
C
yes, between 0.84 seconds and 0.85 seconds after the shot is launched
D
no, shot not blocked

Explanation

Let T be the time since the shot was launched. At time T, the blocker has been leaping for T − 0.2 seconds. Substituting that into the blocker’s equation gives a height of 3.36 + 31.4T − 16T² feet, while the ball’s height is 6 + 30T − 16T² feet. The ball stays above the blocker until their heights would meet at T = 2.64 ÷ 1.4 ≈ 1.89 seconds, which is after it reaches the net at 1.7 seconds; therefore, the shot is not blocked.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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