On a height-versus-time graph, the maximum is the greatest height the curve reaches. Find the highest point, called the vertex on a parabola, and read its vertical coordinate because that axis measures height. If the peak is already marked, you can read it without Desmos. The top label on the axis isn't necessarily a height the water reaches.
Hints
- Hint 1
A maximum is the greatest output on the graph. Follow the curve upward to its highest point. Is the question asking how high the water goes or when it gets there?
- Hint 2
At a graph point, the first coordinate gives the horizontal value and the second gives the vertical value. Since height is on the vertical axis, which coordinate of the peak do you need?
Step-by-step
Read the marked peak
Step 1Identify which coordinate gives height
No Desmos needed. The graph already marks its highest point. The vertex is the turning point of this downward-opening curve, so it marks the maximum height. Read the peak's vertical coordinate, not its time or the top of the axis.
- Step 2
Read the peak and answer in feet
The filled dot is at . Its first coordinate is the time, seconds; its second coordinate is the height, feet. So the water stream's maximum height is feet. Choice C.