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Height of aZero Gravity Parabolic Flight

Math l0l0lntermediate Algebra Group Project

to
float weightless in space? One way to try it out is to
fly on a special aircraft that astronauts use to train for
Have you ever wondered what it might feel like

their trips to space. Both NASA and the Ru$sian Space

Agency have been flying these for years. The way this
is accomplished is to fly to a high altitude, drop down

to gain speed, and then start a large parabolic path up

in the sky. For a time ranging from 10 to 20 seconds,
along the top part of the parabolic flight, an

environment simulating zero gravity is created within the plane. This effect can cause some nausea in
the participants, giving rise to the name "Vomit Comef, the plane used by NASA for zero.G parabolic
training ftights. Currently there is a private company that will sell you a zero-G ride, though it is a bit
expensive.
This lab will have you take a look at the parabolic path to try to determine the maximum altitude the

plane reaches. Firsl you will work with data given about the parabola to come up with a quadratic
model for the flight. Then you will work to find the maximum vatue of the model. Now for the data:

ilei$t
r

Time rin seconds

H.tgh. ltrn{eet

af a Zom-G fngm t Smtds l$sr

a Perabdic HiGht Pdr
2

2A

23645

32015

40
33715

will be plugging the data into the model h = atz + bt + c.

just
like x and y values, where the x value is the time t in seconds and
The data points given are
the y value is the altitude h in feet. Plug these into the model and you will get equations with a,
To find the quadratic model, you

b and c.
Part 1: Write your 3 by 3 system of equations for a, b, and c.

\.

h qr"1

q(zo)

il

lto"q

t,

btzo) + c '= 3zol5

I zrb *C -

SzotY

h(q") = A(+o12+b(t+r-)+O = ?;+15

=)\6ooq+Ftr+L *: 33+tT *--&

Part

2: Solve this system. Make sure to show your work.

0l
e

4a +zb+ c

- 211+\

+ubq

5 = 3lo(5-

kroq

lUoo

tql

l,

+60

zol.

+(t3 | 4T -+a*zb) = 3zott

=

Lza'+b :
Gb s

600

\b =68;
. ',21<
16,

k3+o

z [+t

r.rza)

11-l

\
i
I

(_..*-,-

+eq

+Lr^zza'

: Blts-tt
- tb
O ?\taa*zt, = - tt30

!L-

tt)

-----:------

s00

- ziutT

.- &f3o

=> -98o
*

?[oo

3: using your rolu.hniao

r-

,
F6

(+ur-zza)+ (z3U+5-'+q-2b) = 33?tT

l8[oo - Skoq+aL q15 -tq * zb : 3:qt:

?lboq

n-J

36qr -+(-rr)

a-n

?ttrn-q;o+++q
Part

lo E-lc

1tt"cn
7tLo.-

2; urls **q*zb

4a.- zb

3{tq +tfb

L= Llrtl

a,+44b+c =33+tY

c -- 2:

[oo q

0o

L:

G.
\4

& b* +b 5 -zzc\
t qLr *zz(-.t")
t*
bE!, ,
lJ*

":'r#"*

from part

at'+ bt

---l-.-

-a ^L-

-..-

J--r:-

+L

I..-rl--

to form your quadratic model of the data.

- z(w)

htt,r =tiu)L'+ trrf +22tti

.
Verle*

Part

4:

Find

the maximum value of the quadratic function. Make sure to show your work.

s Wyqbota lomiec{ ql t = -*q =

c'l
-':rr
..-tbE,J
- l0

Jr{-

2r

1'''
- t0 [ ZL.l_s)' + 6tI (34'*i\1 +: z'- 11;"i'io -GZ-i I 23,+11.2q" + 2L3\5

[Ylo(tnnum

Va\irt,

4o+t. rrq

5: Sketch the parabola. Labelthe given data plus the maximum point.
your axes is to have the lower left point Ue (!]!p!p)
Part

+rooo

35oOt''

?4ra*
j? ooo

0ora

2';t

a {)

2r, tro c

^,a o6o

A good way

to start labeling

Part

6: Reflective Writing.

Did this project change the way you think about how math can be applied to the real world?

Write one paragraph stating what ideas changed and why. lf this project did not change the
way you think, write how this project gave further evidence to support your existing opinion
about applying math. Be specific.

Yes

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