graph{-16x^2+54x+7 [-5, 5, -5, 5]}
when the ball hits the ground, its height is 00.
h(t) = 0h(t)=0
this means that -16t^2 + 54t + 7 = 0−16t2+54t+7=0.
(8t+1)(2t-7) = 16t - 56t + 2t - 7 = 16t - 54t - 7(8t+1)(2t−7)=16t−56t+2t−7=16t−54t−7
-(8t+1)(2t-7) = -16t + 54t + 7−(8t+1)(2t−7)=−16t+54t+7
factorising gives -(8t+1)(2t-7) = 0−(8t+1)(2t−7)=0.
0 = -00=−0
(8t+1)(2t-7)=0(8t+1)(2t−7)=0.
8t = -18t=−1 or 2t = 72t=7
t = -1/8t=−18 or t = 7/2t=72
note that the answer asks for the height after tt seconds. this means that only the positive solution of tt applies.
here, this is 7/272
7/2 = 3.572=3.5
3.53.5 seconds after being thrown up from 77 feet above ground, the ball will reach the ground again (assuming that the ground is level).