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Algebra 1

4.9.4 Representing Quantities in a Situation

Algebra 14.9.4 Representing Quantities in a Situation
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Activity

Watch the video of the tennis ball being dropped.

Access multimedia content

The height of the ball is a function of time. Suppose the height is h h feet, t t seconds after the ball is dropped.

  1. Create a table of values that displays the height of the tennis ball, in feet, at key moments during the video. To help you get started, use the still images to complete the table of values.

0 seconds

A person in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray wall, holding a yellow tennis ball above their head with an outstretched arm.

0.28 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is approximately chest height of the man.

0.54 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is on the ground.

0.74 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is approximately knee height of the man..

1.03 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is approximately waist height of the man..

1.48 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is on the ground.

1.88 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is approximately knee height of the man..

2.25 seconds

A man in a blue shirt and khaki pants stands sideways against a gray paneled wall, arm extended upward, and has dropped a yellow tennis ball. The ball is on the ground.
Time (seconds) Height (feet)

0

A. ______

0.28

B. ______

0.54

C. ______

0.74

D. ______

1.03

E. ______

1.48

F. ______

1.88

G. ______

2.25

H. ______

2. Use a blank coordinate plane to sketch a graph of the height of the tennis ball as a function of time. Use the table of values you created to help guide your graph.

Hint: Suggestion for how to set up graph here.

3. Identify the horizontal intercepts ( x x -intercepts) of the graph. Explain what the coordinates tell us about the tennis ball.

4. Identify the vertical intercept ( y y -intercept) of the graph. Explain what the coordinates tell us about the tennis ball.

5. Find the maximum value of the function. Explain what it tells us about the tennis ball.

6. Find the minimum value of the function. Explain what it tells us about the tennis ball.

Are you ready for more?

Extending Your Thinking

If you only see the still images of the ball and not the video of the ball bouncing, can you accurately graph the height of the ball as a function of time? Explain your reasoning.

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