Maximum height occurs at vertex: \(t = \frac{-b}{2a} = \frac{-49}{2(-4.9)} = 5\) seconds

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:21:31 +0000

Maximum Height Occurs at the Vertex: Understanding the Peak of a Projectile’s Flight When analyzing the trajectory of a projectile—whether a thrown ball, a launched rocket, or a dropped object—the moment of maximum height is a crucial point both physically and mathematically. This peak occurs precisely at the vertex of the parabolic path, a concept rooted in quadratic functions. In this article, we explore how to calculate this moment using the vertex formula, with a core example: finding the time of maximum height at \\( t = \frac{-b}{2a} = \frac{-49}{2(-4.9)} = 5 \\) seconds. --- ### What Is the Vertex of a Parabola?