Question

How can trigonometry be used to model the path of a baseball?

Answer 1

• Step 1: Define the variables used in both the parametric equations.

Represent the height in feet by ‘h’,

The angle in degrees by ‘a’,

The initial velocity in feet per second by ‘v’

The time in seconds by ‘t’.

• Step 2: Write an equation for the horizontal motion of the baseball as a function of time:

x(t) = v * Cos(a) * t.

• Step 3: Write an equation to describe the vertical motion of the baseball as a function of time:

y (t) = h + v * Sin(a) * t – 16 * t2.

In this formula, t2 is the square of the variable ‘t’, which is simply t * t, or t2.

In this formula, t2 is the square of the variable ‘t’, which is simply t * t, or t2.The pair of x(t) and y(t) equations are the required parametric equations that describe the path of the baseball in calculus.