Quadratic equations model many situations in real-life, particularly those involving the path of a projectile. The problem below illustrates how the graph and characteristics of a quadratic function can be used to model the path of a thrown rock. Phillip is standing on a ledge that juts out over a lake. He tosses a rock straight up with a velocity of 48 feet per second. The rock leaves his hand at a point 64 feet above the surface of the lake. The rock travels upward and then falls into the lake. This graph and table represent the height above the water, h(t), as a function of the time, t, in seconds after Philip releases the rock. The height of the ball at any given time can be represented as h(t) = -16t^2 + 48t + 64. Identify the vertex