Former MLB pitcher Nolan Ryan was once recorded throwing a fastball at 100.9 mph (148 ft/s). If Nolan Ryan were to throw this high-speed pitch straight up from an initial height of 7.8 ft, how long would it remain in the air, ignoring air resistance?

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Biology

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8 August, 21:16

Former MLB pitcher Nolan Ryan was once recorded throwing a fastball at 100.9 mph (148 ft/s). If Nolan Ryan were to throw this high-speed pitch straight up from an initial height of 7.8 ft, how long would it remain in the air, ignoring air resistance?

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Savanah Mayer · Answer 1

We will solve assuming the formula is:

h (t) = - 14t^2+148t+7.8, where h is the height of the ball in feet and t is the time in seconds since it is pitched

We need to find t, t > 0, such that h (t) = 0

-14t^2+148t+7.8 = 0

t = 10.6 s

The ball will stay in the air for 10.6 seconds.