3.7.
5 Practice: Modeling: Pumpkin Launch Practice
Algebra II Sem 1 Name:
Date:
Use the questions below to keep track of key concepts from this lesson's study
activity.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Splatapults Away!
The engineering club has built a catapult and wants to test it out. The local
supermarket has donated some overripe fruits and vegetables, and now the club is
holding a Splatapult challenge to see who can hit the most targets. The catapult can
launch food pretty far and make a real mess! In order to hit a target and win the
Splatapult challenge, you'll need to aim the catapult just right. Use the Graphing Tool
and your knowledge of quadratic functions to help you model the flight paths of the
different projectiles and hit the target.
Organize your information
1. Which fruit or vegetable did you select? List the information you know about its
path. (2 points: 1 point for the selection, 1 point for the values)
I selected the pumpkin. Pumpkin: max height is 62ft, target distance is 50ft.
2. Your fruit or vegetable will follow a parabolic path, where x is the horizontal
distance it travels (feet), and y is the vertical distance (feet).
a) The x-intercepts are the places where your fruit or vegetable is on the ground.
The first x-intercept is (0, 0).
The second x-intercept is where the fruit or vegetable hits the ground after it's
launched.
What are the coordinates of the second x-intercept? (2 points: 1 point for each
coordinate)
1st coordinate: (0, 0)
2nd coordinate: (50,0)
b) Which point on the parabola shows the maximum height of your fruit or
vegetable? (1 point)
The y-value of the vertex shows the maximum height of the pumpkin.
c) The x-coordinate of the vertex is halfway between the x-coordinates of the
endpoints. The y-value of the vertex is the maximum height of the fruit or vegetable.
What are the coordinates of the vertex? (2 points: 1 point for each coordinate)
Vertex: (25,62)
3. Use the information above to sketch the flight path of your projectile. (2 points)
4. Label the x-intercepts and vertex on your sketch. (3 points: 1 point for each
correct point)
(25, 62)
(0,0) (50,0)
Writing the equation
Complete questions 5 – 8 to write a quadratic equation for the parabola.
5. Using the coordinates of the x-intercepts, what are the two roots of your quadratic
equation? (1 point: ½ point for each root)
Hint: The roots are the same as the zeros (the x-values of the x-intercepts).
r1 = 0 r2 = 50
6. Substitute the roots from question 5 into the equation y = a(x – r1)(x – r2). (2
points)
y= ax(x-50)
7. Substitute the coordinates of the vertex for x and y in the equation from the
question. Solve the equation for a. (2 points)
62=a(25)(25-50)
62= -625a
a=-0.092
a=-0.1
8. Using the value of a from question 7, write the quadratic equation in the form y =
a(x – r1)(x – r2). (1 point)
y=ax(x-50), (a=-0.1)
y= −0.1 x 2+5 x
9. Using the distributive property, multiply the equation in question 8 to get
the quadratic equation in the form y = ax2 + bx. (1 point)
y= −0.1 x 2+5 x
10. Use the Graphing Tool to create a parabola with your vertex and x-intercepts.
● To use the graphing tool, first zoom out to get the scale you want.
● Select the parabola, "U", button.
● The click the point that you want as the vertex.
● Then click the origin (0, 0).
The Graphing Tool will give you an equation for the function you have created. This
equation should be close to the equation from question 8. Write the equation here:
(1 point)
y= −0.1 x 2+5 x
BULL'S-EYE! Well done!
Copyright © 2018 Apex Learning Inc. Use of this material is subject to Apex Learning's Terms of Use. Any unauthorized
copying, reuse, or redistribution is prohibited. Apex Learning ® and the Apex Learning Logo are registered trademarks of Apex
Learning Inc.
3.7.5 Practice: Modeling: Pumpkin Launch
