An object is dropped from a bridge and allowed to freefall to the ground. The height of the object over time can be modeled using h (t) = 144 - 16t2.

How many seconds will it take the object to reach the ground?

When the object reaches the ground, the height is zero, so:

0 = 144 - 16t^2

then you just solve for t, so subtract the 144 over

-144 = - 16t^2

then divide by the - 16

9 = t^2

then take the square root of both sides

3 = t

therefore, it will take three seconds for the object to reach the ground.