Problem of the Week - Algebra and Up - Dec. 13, 2020 to Dec. 19, 2020

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/second^2): 

(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.