# Math Help - How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

1. ## How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

"An archer's arrow follows a parabolic path. The height of the arrow, f(x) in feet, can be modeled by:

f(x) = -0.005x^2 +2x +5 ,

where x is the arrow's horizontal distance in feet."

I've done the quadratic formula and the result didn't seem reasonable..
Is there a specific formula for problems like these?

2. ## Re: How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

Originally Posted by nojnotnow
"An archer's arrow follows a parabolic path. The height of the arrow, f(x) in feet, can be modeled by:

f(x) = -0.005x^2 +2x +5 ,

where x is the arrow's horizontal distance in feet."

I've done the quadratic formula and the result didn't seem reasonable..
Is there a specific formula for problems like these?
My solution seems reasonable ... what did you get?

3. ## Re: How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

I threw the paper away with my work on it already lol

If you don't mind what was your answer and how did you work it out?

4. ## Re: How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

Originally Posted by nojnotnow
I threw the paper away with my work on it already lol

If you don't mind what was your answer and how did you work it out?
f(x) = 0 when it hits the ground. It's just using the quadratic formula ... it's your problem, you work it out.

5. ## Re: How to find the horizontal distance in this quadratic formula?

I GOT IT, 402.48

I didn't the negative form of the quadratic formula, I just did the positive form which resulted in a negative distance..