The function f (x) = - x2 - 5x + 50 shows the relationship between the vertical distance of a diver from a pool's surface f (x), in feet, and the horizontal distance x, in feet, of a diver from the diving board. What is a zero of f (x), and what does it represent?

Question

Mathematics

Brodie Choi

8 October, 08:37

The function f (x) = - x2 - 5x + 50 shows the relationship between the vertical distance of a diver from a pool's surface f (x), in feet, and the horizontal distance x, in feet, of a diver from the diving board. What is a zero of f (x), and what does it represent?

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Answers (1)

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Aniyah Kemp · Answer 1

To determine the zero of the function given, we calculate for the values of x while equating the function to zero. That is,

-x² - 5x + 50 = 0

Dividing the equation by negative 1,

x² + 5x - 50 = 0

The values of x are 10 and - 5. This means that when the horizontal distance of the diver is 10 ft, his vertical distance is zero.