Select the correct answer.

The quadratic function modeling the height of a ball over time is symmetric about the line [tex]t=2.5[/tex], where [tex]t[/tex] is time in seconds. Which statement is true about this situation?

A. The height of the ball is the same after 0.5 second and 5.5 seconds.
B. The height of the ball is the same after 1.5 seconds and 3.5 seconds.
C. The height of the ball is the same after 1 second and 3 seconds.
D. The height of the ball is the same after 0 seconds and 4 seconds.



Answer :

Given that the quadratic function modeling the height of a ball over time is symmetric about the line [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex], let's analyze the statements to determine the correct one.

The symmetry of the quadratic function means that the height of the ball at times [tex]\(t\)[/tex] and [tex]\( (5 - t) \)[/tex] will be the same because [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex] is the midpoint.

Let's examine each statement:

A. The height of the ball is the same after 0.5 seconds and 5.5 seconds.
- Midpoints: [tex]\(\frac{0.5 + 5.5}{2} = 3\)[/tex]. This is not symmetric about [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex].
- False.

B. The height of the ball is the same after 1.5 seconds and 3.5 seconds.
- Midpoints: [tex]\(\frac{1.5 + 3.5}{2} = 2.5\)[/tex]. This is symmetric about [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex].
- True.

C. The height of the ball is the same after 1 second and 3 seconds.
- Midpoints: [tex]\(\frac{1 + 3}{2} = 2\)[/tex]. This is not symmetric about [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex].
- False.

D. The height of the ball is the same after 0 seconds and 4 seconds.
- Midpoints: [tex]\(\frac{0 + 4}{2} = 2\)[/tex]. This is not symmetric about [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex].
- False.

Based on this analysis, statement B is the only one where the midpoints are equal to 2.5, making it symmetric about [tex]\(t = 2.5\)[/tex].

Thus, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{B} \][/tex]