Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Ever launched a Rocket and wanted to determine how High it goes? Polynomials can come in handy when trying to model the flight path of a Rocket.  Did You Know that  when shooting a rocket straight up in the air, the rocket’s path can be modeled using the polynomial equation: y = -16t² + vt + h_o? Yes, it is True. Using this Equation you can easily Determine when the Rocket will hit the ground and even how far the Rocket will shoot into the sky. The Height the Rocket will reach is dependent on the initial velocity of the rocket and the initial height.  (Rocket Photo:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Apollo_15_launch.jpg/640px-Apollo_15_launch.jpg)

Notice that the Rocket Equation does not involve the weight of the Rocket. As a Rocket is launched the initial Velocity allows it to overcome Gravity. However, eventually, that initial force from the launch dissipates and Gravity takes hold. A Rocket reaches its Maximum Height shortly before Gravity forces it back toward the ground.

Interested in learning more about Math related to Rockets? Check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sThq_E7TCtk

Learn More!  Let’s try an example, using the Polynomial Equation: d = -16t² + vt + h_o. If a Rocket is launched with an initial Velocity of 50 meters per second off of the ground, how high will the Rocket be after 3 seconds?  Solution:  So, the Rocket will be 6 Meters off the ground. The Rocket is likely on its way back down toward the ground.

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