At a skills competition, a target is being lifted into the air by a cable at a constant speed. An archer standing on the ground launches an arrow toward the target. The system of equations models the height, in feet, of the target and the arrow t seconds after it was fired. Which statement most likely describes the situation modeled by this system? h is equal to 8 plus 2 t h is equal to 4 plus 32 t minus 6 t squared
Answer
A
The arrow is fired with an initial upward velocity of 2 ft/s.
B
The arrow is fired with an initial upward velocity of 32 ft/s.
C
The arrow is fired with an initial upward velocity of 8 ft/s.
D
The arrow is fired with an initial upward velocity of 4 ft/s.
Explanation
The arrow’s height is modeled by h = 4 + 32t − 6t². In this height equation, the coefficient of t gives the arrow’s initial vertical velocity, so it starts upward at 32 ft/s. The 4 is its initial height, not its velocity.
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