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Height of aZero Gravity Parabolic Flight
Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to
float weightless inspace? One way to try itout is to fly
ona special aircraft that astronauts use to train for
their trips to space. Both NASAand the RussianSpace
Agency have beenflying these for years. The way this
is accomplished is to fly to a high altitude, drop down
to gainspeed, and then start a large parabolic path up
inthe sky. Fora time ranging from 10 to 20 seconds,
along the top part of the parabolic flight, anenvironment simulating zero gravity is created within the
plane. This effect cancause some nausea inthe participants, giving rise to the name "Vomit Comet",
the plane used by NASAfor zero-G parabolic training flights. Currently there is a private company that
will sell you a zero-G ride, though it is a bit expensive.
Math 1010 Intermediate Algebra Group
Project
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5-/
This lab will have you take a look atthe parabolic path to try to determine the maximum altitude the
plane reaches. First, you will work with data givenabout the parabola to come up with a quadratic
model for the flight. Thenyou will work to find the maximum value of the model. Now for the data:
Height of aZero-G Flight t SecondsAfter
St rtin P b Ii Fli ht P th
Time t inseconds
Heighth infeet
a 19 a ara 0c g a
2 20 40
23645 32015 33715
To find the quadratic model, you will be plugging the data into the model. The data points
givenare just like x and y values, where the xvalue is the time tinseconds and the y value is
the altitude h infeet. Plugthese into the model and you will getequations with a, band c.
Part 1: Write your 3 by 3 system of equations for a, b, and c.
q(~)Z- -J- blL} +C .: 23
0
Y5
Y a +2b +- C ~ J"?: >&l-fS
- \
400q t:lOb-l L -=. 90 J 5
\ ,)
2,,) I bOllq +40b tL
33115
Part2: Solve this system. Q. sure to show your work.
( - / ) C b ~(-j t-/ ~ c-)2 - b t-J 1~-'l~(~L-f$ l - J) 0-l .fb Oq - ZOb - C. " 32/ 0/ 5
(Z) ~q f-20b -I- t ::;-~J,/O15 ~ / l o O O q +406 + - L - 3: S/ 1/ 5
-= ~qroO! +-1~ b = 0370 IJ-OO~ -t-2.Ob :: ,/700
I tor O'l : = - I0 "
~ID)~ 3%0 0 , +I~b = '3: ',700
( ~ c r)@- It) J ~ DO ~ ~ I~O b : - \5, ? JOO
1200L-10) +- 2-D b :: I) 0'0
)l)Ie : : (~/ 7 0 0
b : 10<65
- b)'=tLI 0~ ;: ( : / D /100
O\: : -ID
Fo(" q ~ - (o) b : : . .b'6'5 :
CD 1-1( - / 0 ) - I 2( G~S) 1- c .'. -=- Z'::>1S
- 40 -I- I~70 +- l ::- 2'3&/-{S
C : - 2)IoY '5 - I~SO
C~ l~/~JS
Q;: -(0
b; b<6S
C :: 22/5(5
L- - -
Part3: Using your solutions to the system from part 2to form your quadratic model of the data.
h :::. ~
1
'2 . }- '01 +- c .( '\v- .- ~ +-~LVe,r- e'f.- W \ \-~ ~::2.bq(dv~{JW1>,1')
hCt)::l-'-IO t' -l- (. ,~5 t- 22,'>,,5 ) ~ - " '\ ,?5
~ 2 Q
Part4: Find the maximum value of the quadratic function. Make sure to show your work.
t
' . . . b
- -
~ 20\
n("=>4. 2'5) z: -10(~~) L + b'6'"? ( 31.- L'LS) +)2/ ~J5
- 11, 7'3
0
, b ;2 .5 + 2 ~ , Llb It 7. . 5 -t 22. , ~J S
MrA'J. , ;VVl U\VV\ he11h}- o r Ve rre'!- :::: 3'1
1
OY '5 ro 25 tJ-
-- r
[ \ VY \- 0~ '\f/lq J ~IfY ) VI vV) ~ e. (~h+- :;: ~L1 \ 25 ~ ec o vJ. S
h( 50 ) ~ - 101'2 + ~~st + 22. '"?15 ~(foO) z: -10+-z.-t- ~~S1-J 22..1315
1 J
In(t') :::~\I5~5 n(t-) -= ~ 7I l 35
Part5: Sketch the parabola. label the givendata plus the maximum point. A good way to start labeling
your axes is to have the lower left point be (0, 20000)
o Part6: Reflective Writing.
Did this project change the way you think about how math canbe applied to the real world?
Write one paragraph stating what ideas changed and why. Ifthis project did not change the
way you think, write how this project gave further evidence to support your existing opinion
about applying math. Bespecific.
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