standard_description: Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear. For example, the function A = s2 giving the area of a square as a function of its side length is not linear because its graph contains the points (1,1), (2,4) and (3,9), which are not on a straight line.
problem_activity: Suppose Brett and Andre each throw a baseball into the air. The height of Brett's baseball is given by
$${h(t)=-16t^2+79t+6}$$
where
$$h$$
is in feet and
$$t$$
is in seconds. The height of Andre's baseball is given by the graph below.
[IMG]
Brett claims that his baseball went higher than Andre’s, and Andre says that his baseball went higher.
Who is right?
How long is each baseball airborne?
Construct a graph of the height of Brett’s throw as a function of time on the same set of axes as the graph of Andre’s throw, and explain how this can confirm your claims to parts (a) and (b).


aligns: no