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Algebra 1

Model a Rocket Flight Using a Quadratic Equation

Algebra 1Model a Rocket Flight Using a Quadratic Equation
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Alejandra lights the fuse on a small toy rocket. The fuse burns down and, after 1 second, the rocket launches into the air. The rocket lands back on the ground after 6 seconds.

After 5 seconds from when Alejandra lit the fuse, the height of the rocket was 8 meters.

  1. What is the quadratic equation in standard form that models the flight of the rocket? (Hint: Think of the problem as a quadratic function in which you know the zeros and a point through which the function passes.)
  2. Use the equation you found in the previous question to find the height of the rocket, in meters, 3 seconds after Alejandra lit the fuse.
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