Algebra and Up:
Question: A man throws a computer off of a platform straight to the ground. It falls 16 feet and hits the ground in 1/2 of a second. Consider this equation for vertical distance traveled in terms of initial velocity, time, and acceleration due to gravity (32 feet / second2):
(distance) = (initial velocity)(time) – 1/2(acceleration due to gravity)(time)2
What is the initial velocity of the computer?
(Hint: The computer is traveling straight down, so the distance it travels is -16 feet in this instance.)
Answer: 24 feet per second straight down
Solution: If we plug all our given values into the equation, we get this:
-16 = x(1/2) – 1/2(32)( 1/2)2
If we simplify that equation, we get this:
-16 = x(1/2) – 4
If we then solve for x, we get -24. The initial velocity of the computer is therefore 24 feet per second straight down.
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