51010112
A hot-air balloon's height \(h(t)\), in kilometers, \(t\) hours after takeoff is modeled during a 5-hour flight by
\(h(t)=-0.1t^3+0.2t^2+1.5t\), for \(0\le t\le5\).
What absolute maximum height does the model predict, and when is it reached?
Hints
- Find the critical times in the stated interval.
- For an absolute maximum on a closed interval, compare the critical-point value with both endpoint values.
- Evaluate the original height function only after identifying the candidates.
Solution
1. Differentiate: \(h'(t)=-0.3t^2+0.4t+1.5\).
2. Solving \(h'(t)=0\) gives \(t=3\) and \(t=-\frac53\). Only \(t=3\) lies in the interval \([0,5]\).
3. For the absolute maximum on the closed interval, compare the endpoint and critical-point values: \(h(0)=0\), \(h(3)=3.6\), and \(h(5)=0\).
4. Therefore, the absolute maximum height is \(3.6\,\text{km}\), reached at \(t=3\,\text{h}\).
Answer
The model reaches its absolute maximum height of \(3.6\,\text{km}\) at \(t=3\,\text{h}\).
