Step-by-step explanation:
1. The equation graph is a parabola, so the maximum height will be the vertex of the parabola. You can find the vertex coordinate t using the formula:
t = -b/2a
t = -18/2•(-4.9)
t = -18/-9.8
t = 1.84 seconds
2. The height of the ground is 0, so the balls hit the ground when the equation result is 0:
0 = -4.9t²+18t+10
Now you solve it using Bhaskara:
Δ = b² -4ac
Δ = 18² -4•(-4.9)•10
Δ = 520
t = (-b ±√Δ)/2a
t = (-18 ± √520)/2•(-4.9)
t1 = (-18 - 20.8)/-9.8
t1 = 3.96 seconds
t2 = (-18 +20.8)/-9.8
t2 = -0.28
Doesn't exist negative time, so we pick the first value found, t = 3.96 seconds
3. Now you just need to put 3 in place of t to find the result:
h = -4.9•3² +18•3 +10
h = -4.9•9 + 54 + 10
h = -44.1 + 64
h = 19.9 meters
4. You just need to put 1 in place of t to find the height:
h = -4.9•1²+12
h = -4.9+12
h = 7.1 meters