Comparison of Maximum Heights

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 28 views

Introduction

Ana and Taylor are on the lacrosse team and practicing their passes. The vertical height, $a(x)$ , of Ana's pass is given by the quadratic equation $a(x) = -0.1x^2 + 2x + 1$ , where $x$ is the horizontal distance from Ana to the goal. Taylor's pass is given by the equation $t(x) = -0.2x^2 + 3x + 2$ . In this problem, we will use these equations to find the maximum height of Ana's pass and the maximum height of Taylor's pass.

Ana's Pass

The equation for Ana's pass is $a(x) = -0.1x^2 + 2x + 1$ . To find the maximum height of Ana's pass, we need to find the vertex of the parabola. The x-coordinate of the vertex is given by the formula $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$ , where $a$ and $b$ are the coefficients of the quadratic equation.

Step 1: Find the x-coordinate of the vertex

The equation for Ana's pass is $a(x) = -0.1x^2 + 2x + 1$ . The coefficients are $a = -0.1$ and $b = 2$ . Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

$x = -\frac{2}{2(-0.1)}$ $x = -\frac{2}{-0.2}$ $x = 10$

Step 2: Find the y-coordinate of the vertex

Now that we have the x-coordinate of the vertex, we can plug it into the equation to find the y-coordinate. Plugging $x = 10$ into the equation, we get:

$a(10) = -0.1(10)^2 + 2(10) + 1$ $a(10) = -0.1(100) + 20 + 1$ $a(10) = -10 + 20 + 1$ $a(10) = 11$

Step 3: Find the maximum height of Ana's pass

The maximum height of Ana's pass is the y-coordinate of the vertex, which is 11.

Taylor's Pass

The equation for Taylor's pass is $t(x) = -0.2x^2 + 3x + 2$ . To find the maximum height of Taylor's pass, we need to find the vertex of the parabola. The x-coordinate of the vertex is given by the formula $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$ , where $a$ and $b$ are the coefficients of the quadratic equation.

Step 1: Find the x-coordinate of the vertex

The equation for Taylor's pass is $t(x) = -0.2x^2 + 3x + 2$ . The coefficients are $a = -0.2$ and $b = 3$ . Plugging these values into the formula, we get:

$x = -\frac{3}{2(-0.2)}$ $x = -\frac{3}{-0.4}$ $x = 7.5$

Step 2: Find the y-coordinate of the vertex

Now that we have the x-coordinate of the vertex, we can plug it into the equation to find the y-coordinate. Plugging $x = 7.5$ into the equation, we get:

$t(7.5) = -0.2(7.5)^2 + 3(7.5) + 2$ $t(7.5) = -0.2(56.25) + 22.5 + 2$ $t(7.5) = -11.25 + 22.5 + 2$ $t(7.5) = 13.25$

Step 3: Find the maximum height of Taylor's pass

The maximum height of Taylor's pass is the y-coordinate of the vertex, which is 13.25.

Comparison of Maximum Heights

The maximum height of Ana's pass is 11, while the maximum height of Taylor's pass is 13.25. Therefore, Taylor's pass reaches a higher maximum height than Ana's pass.

Conclusion

Q: What is the equation for Ana's pass?

A: The equation for Ana's pass is $a(x) = -0.1x^2 + 2x + 1$ , where $x$ is the horizontal distance from Ana to the goal.

Q: What is the equation for Taylor's pass?

A: The equation for Taylor's pass is $t(x) = -0.2x^2 + 3x + 2$ , where $x$ is the horizontal distance from Taylor to the goal.

Q: How do you find the maximum height of a quadratic equation?

A: To find the maximum height of a quadratic equation, you need to find the vertex of the parabola. The x-coordinate of the vertex is given by the formula $x = -\frac{b}{2a}$ , where $a$ and $b$ are the coefficients of the quadratic equation. Then, you can plug the x-coordinate into the equation to find the y-coordinate, which is the maximum height.

Q: What is the maximum height of Ana's pass?

A: The maximum height of Ana's pass is 11.

Q: What is the maximum height of Taylor's pass?

A: The maximum height of Taylor's pass is 13.25.

Q: Why does Taylor's pass reach a higher maximum height than Ana's pass?

A: Taylor's pass reaches a higher maximum height than Ana's pass because the coefficient of the $x^2$ term in Taylor's equation is smaller than the coefficient of the $x^2$ term in Ana's equation. This means that Taylor's pass has a more gradual decline in height as the distance from the goal increases, resulting in a higher maximum height.

Q: Can you give an example of a real-world situation where quadratic equations are used?

A: Yes, quadratic equations are used in many real-world situations, such as:

Projectile motion: Quadratic equations are used to model the trajectory of a projectile, such as a thrown ball or a launched rocket.
Optimization: Quadratic equations are used to optimize functions, such as finding the maximum or minimum value of a function.
Physics: Quadratic equations are used to model the motion of objects, such as the trajectory of a thrown object or the motion of a pendulum.

Q: How can you use quadratic equations in your own life?

A: You can use quadratic equations in your own life by applying them to real-world situations, such as:

Planning a trip: You can use quadratic equations to model the trajectory of a thrown object, such as a ball or a frisbee.
Designing a roller coaster: You can use quadratic equations to model the motion of a roller coaster, such as the trajectory of a car or the motion of a pendulum.
Optimizing a function: You can use quadratic equations to optimize functions, such as finding the maximum or minimum value of a function.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the use of quadratic equations in lacrosse passes and answered some common questions about quadratic equations. We have also provided examples of real-world situations where quadratic equations are used and discussed how you can use quadratic equations in your own life.