Question

1. a water balloon is dropped from a 400 foot high tower. the function $h(t) = -16t^2 + 400$ gives the height of the balloon $t$ seconds after it is dropped. how long will it take for the balloon to hit the ground?

Explanation:

Step1: Set height to 0 (ground level)

$h(t) = 0 = -16t^2 + 400$

Step2: Rearrange to isolate $t^2$

$16t^2 = 400$

Step3: Solve for $t^2$

$t^2 = \frac{400}{16} = 25$

Step4: Take positive square root

$t = \sqrt{25} = 5$

Answer:

5 seconds