Two rockets, a and b, are shot from two different launch pads. the path of rocket a can be represented by the quadratic function a(t) = −(t − 8)2 + 535, where height, a(t), is in meters, and time, t, is in seconds. the path of rocket b is shown below.

A(t) = −(t − 8)2 + 535
You would like to find the maximum of this function: −(t − 8)^2This part is always negative or zero as a number squared cannot be negative and you multiply by -1:  Thus the maximum of this part MAX:−(t − 8)^2=0  
The max will be when t=8 and its value is 535