Use a graphing calculator to determine if he will hit the pin. To begin students write parametric equations to describe the position of the ball after t seconds. It is readily visible that the ball falls short of the pin. This is a good problem because it requires some unit conversions and thought process in order to set the viewing window to appropriate values. The analysis of the graph generates lots of discussion.
Students analyze two problems and present their findings in writing.
The problems are from page 453 of Merrill Advanced Mathematical Concepts. Grtechen Austgen, an outfielder for the West Chicago Wildcats, is 215 feet from home plate after catching a fly ball. The runner tags third and heads for home. Assume Gretchen releases the ball 5 feet above the ground and aims it directly in line with the plate. Write two parametric equations that represent the path of the ball.