Applications of quadratic equations

Quadratic Word Problem Scenarios

Make sure you watch the video as it will be helpful to understand how to solve word problems of quadratic equations.

Scenario 1

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Multiple Choice

Jack wants to know how high the soccer ball will get if he kicks it straight up in the air.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 2

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Multiple Choice

Lily wants to know how long her toy rocket will be in the air after she lights the fuse to launch it from a 1.5-foot launch pad.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 3

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Multiple Choice

Nancy is trying to find how many seconds it will take a golf ball to get to its highest point after being hit on the golf course.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 4

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Multiple Choice

Bill is wondering how long it will take a football to hit the ground after Tom Brady throws it during practice.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 5

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Multiple Choice

Sally threw a ball in the air. Sally’s friend wanted to find out how high the ball got given that it took 1 second to get to its highest point.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 6

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Multiple Choice

Ray found the maximum height of a basketball thrown from half court to be 21 feet and wants to know how long it took to get there.

Which one are we looking for?

a. x at vertex

b. y at vertex

c. positive zero

• x at vertex

• y at vertex

• positive zero

Scenario 7

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Multiple Select

How do I find…

The time it takes to get to the highest point?

(circle all that apply)

A: use the axis of symmetry formula

B: use the Maximum function, read x

C: Use the Maximum function, read y

D: use the Zero function

E: Use the Quadratic Formula

• use the axis of symmetry formula

• use the Maximum function, read x

• Use the Maximum function, read y

• use the Zero function

• Use the Quadratic Formula

Scenario 8

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Multiple Select

How do I find…

The highest point?

(circle all that apply)

A: Use the Maximum function, read x

B: Use the Maximum function, read y

C: Use the axis of symmetry formula, plug back into equation

D: Use the Quadratic Formula

• Use the Maximum function, read x

• Use the Maximum function, read y

• Use the axis of symmetry formula, plug back into equation

• Use the Quadratic Formula

Scenario 9

​

Multiple Select

How do I find…

How long an object is in the air?

(Select all that apply)

A: use the axis of symmetry formula

B: use the Maximum function, read x

C: Use the Maximum function, read y

D: use the Zero function

E: Use the Quadratic Formula

• use the axis of symmetry formula

• use the Maximum function, read x

• Use the Maximum function, read y

• use the Zero function

• Use the Quadratic Formula

Scenario 10

Multiple Select

How do I find…

When an object hits the ground? (circle all that apply)

A: use the axis of symmetry formula

B: use the Zero function

C: use the axis of symmetry formula, plug back into equation

D: Use the Quadratic Formula

E: use the Value function

• use the axis of symmetry formula

• use the Zero function

• use the axis of symmetry formula, plug back into equation

• Use the Quadratic Formula

• use the Value function