Question
Guillermo is a professional deep water free diver. His altitude (in meters relative to sea level), \( x \) seconds after diving, is modeled by \( g(x)=\frac{1}{20} x(x-100) \) How many seconds after diving will Guillermo reach his lowest altitude? seconds
Ask by Johnston Gibbs. in the United States
Feb 22,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Guillermo reaches his lowest altitude 50 seconds after diving.
Solution
We are given the function modeling Guillermo’s altitude:
g(x) = (1/20)·x(x – 100).
To find the time when he reaches his lowest altitude, we need to determine the vertex of this quadratic function. First, rewrite the function in standard quadratic form:
g(x) = (1/20)(x² – 100x).
For a quadratic function ax² + bx + c, the vertex (which gives the minimum when a > 0) is at x = –b/(2a). Here, a = 1/20 and b = –100.
Now, calculate the vertex’s x-value:
x = –(–100) / (2·(1/20)) = 100 / (2/20) = 100 / (0.1) = 50 seconds.
Thus, Guillermo reaches his lowest altitude 50 seconds after diving.
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
Like
error msg


Beyond the Answer
To find Guillermo's lowest altitude, we need to determine the vertex of the quadratic function \( g(x) = \frac{1}{20} x(x - 100) \). The vertex occurs at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \), where \( a \) and \( b \) are the coefficients from the standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c \). Here, \( a = \frac{1}{20} \) and \( b = -5 \) (since when expanded, \( g(x) = \frac{1}{20} x^2 - 5x \)). Calculating the time to reach the lowest altitude: \[ x = -\frac{-5}{2(\frac{1}{20})} = \frac{5}{\frac{1}{10}} = 50. \] So, Guillermo will reach his lowest altitude \( 50 \) seconds after diving.