A projectile is fired vertically upward and has a position given by s(t)=−16t^2+128t+192, for 0≤t≤9.


b. From the graph of the position function, identify the time at which the projectile has an instantaneous velocity of zero; call this time t=a.

Key Concepts

Position Function

The position function describes the location of an object at any given time. In this case, s(t) = -16t^2 + 128t + 192 represents the height of a projectile over time, where 't' is the time in seconds. Understanding this function is crucial for analyzing the projectile's motion and determining its behavior at different time intervals.

Instantaneous Velocity

Instantaneous velocity is the rate of change of the position function with respect to time, represented mathematically as the derivative of the position function, s'(t). For the given position function, finding the time when the instantaneous velocity is zero involves calculating the derivative and solving for t when s'(t) = 0, indicating the moment the projectile reaches its peak height.

Critical Points

Critical points occur where the derivative of a function is zero or undefined, indicating potential maxima, minima, or points of inflection. In the context of the projectile's motion, identifying the critical points of the velocity function helps determine when the projectile stops ascending and starts descending, which is essential for understanding its overall trajectory.