The vertical position (h) of the object, measured in feet, t seconds after it was thrown can be determined using the given equation:
h = -16t^2 + 288t + 640
This equation represents the height of the object as a function of time, considering the effects of gravity. The first term, -16t^2, accounts for the downward acceleration due to gravity, while the second term, 288t, represents the initial upward velocity of the object when it was thrown.
Therefore, by substituting the value of time (t) into the equation, we can calculate the vertical position (h) of the object at any given time.
For example, if we want to find the object's vertical position 2 seconds after it was thrown, we substitute t = 2 into the equation:
h = -16(2)^2 + 288(2) + 640 = -16(4) + 576 + 640 = -64 + 576 + 640 = 1152
So, the object's vertical position 2 seconds after being thrown is 1152 feet.