Quadratic Word Problems

Sketch a graph The path of a baseball is given by the function where f(x) is the height of the baseball in feet and x is the distance from home plate in feet. Enter the function into a graphing calculator and draw a sketch.

Answer Put function into y=, adjust window and graph.

Max/Min/Vertex What is the maximum height reached by the baseball?

Answer 2 nd TRACE 4:maximum use left/right arrows to move cursor to the left of the hump and press enter use right arrow to move cursor to the right of the hump and press enter Press enter Maximum height = feet

Zero/Root/X-int What is the horizontal distance from home plate when the ball hits the ground?

Answer 2nd TRACE 2:zero use left/right arrows to move cursor to the left of the x-int and press enter use right arrow to move cursor to the right of the x-int and press enter Press enter Horizontal distance = feet

Pizza!! The quadratic function gives the price of pizza in dollars as a function of the diameter x. Does the model give a reasonable price for a 30 inch pizza?

Answer Put function into y=, adjust window and graph. 2nd TRACE 1:value 30 press enter $15.50 for a 30 in pizza seems too low

Pizza Snacks Assume the pizza maker is willing to make 4 inch pizza snacks. Does the model give a price that is reasonable to pay?

Answer Put function into y=, adjust window and graph. 2nd TRACE 1:value 4 press enter $3.15 for a 4 in pizza seems too high