College

Jerald jumped from a bungee tower. If the equation that models his height, in feet, is [tex]h = -16t^2 + 729[/tex], where [tex]t[/tex] is the time in seconds, for which interval of time is he less than 104 feet above the ground?

A. [tex]t \ \textgreater \ 6.25[/tex]

B. [tex]-6.25 \ \textless \ t \ \textless \ 6.25[/tex]

C. [tex]t \ \textless \ 6.25[/tex]

D. [tex]0 \leq t \leq 6.25[/tex]

Answer :

To solve the problem of finding the time interval when Jerald is less than 104 feet above the ground, we start with his height equation:

[tex]\[ h = -16t^2 + 729 \][/tex]

We need to determine when his height [tex]\( h \)[/tex] is less than 104 feet. So, we set up the inequality:

[tex]\[ -16t^2 + 729 < 104 \][/tex]

First, let's simplify this inequality:

1. Subtract 729 from both sides:

[tex]\[ -16t^2 < 104 - 729 \][/tex]

[tex]\[ -16t^2 < -625 \][/tex]

2. Divide both sides by -16 (remember to reverse the inequality sign when dividing by a negative number):

[tex]\[ t^2 > \frac{625}{16} \][/tex]

Next, calculate the square root of [tex]\(\frac{625}{16}\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ t > \sqrt{\frac{625}{16}} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ t > \frac{25}{4} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ t > 6.25 \][/tex]

Therefore, Jerald is less than 104 feet in height when the time [tex]\( t \)[/tex] is greater than 6.25 seconds. Thus, the interval for time when he is less than 104 feet above the ground is:

[tex]\[ t > 6.25 \][/tex]

Keep in mind that this answer is based on Jerald jumping from a positive height, as he starts his jump from 729 feet above the ground according to the height equation provided.