Year 10 Maths Methods

PSMT

Will the Water Balloon hit the Raft?

Table of Contents
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1. Introduction...............................................................................................3
2. Considerations.........................................................................................3
2.1 Observations....................................................................................3
2.2 Assumptions........................................................................................3
2.3 Translation of Mathematical Aspects...................................................3
3. Developing a Solution..............................................................................4
3.1 Applying Assumptions and creating the model....................................4
3.2 Finding the Parabola and the location of the 1st Water Balloon...........4
3.3 Utilizing Intercept Form and Converting to Standard Form.................4
3.4 Using Quadratic Formula to convert back into Intercept Form to
discover the parabola and location of the 2nd Balloon..............................4
4. Evaluate, Verify and Improve...................................................................4
4.1 Evaluating and Verifying......................................................................4
4.2 Strengths and Limitations....................................................................4
5. Conclusion................................................................................................4
6. Reference List..........................................................................................4
7. Appendixes...............................................................................................4

1. Introduction
In this investigation, a group of friends decided to set up a Catapult along with a Raft to see whether they
could hit the target with a water balloon. To assist this task, the projectile motion of these balloons had to
be determined and modeled algebraically by utilizing parabolic graphs and quadratic functions. By using
external software such as GeoGebra and Desmos, the primary objective was to model the 1st Water
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Balloon’s flight path to see if it cleared the tree and hit the raft, then to adjust through algebraic thinking to
ensure that the 2nd Water Balloon successfully impacted the raft’s surface.

2. Considerations
2.1 Observations
 The model provided isn’t too scale and is used to provide students with a rough visual
representation of the investigation. This is important because it encourages a scale to be
established, as well as features and rules from the assumptions to formulate a solution.
 Water balloon immediately descends when launched because of projectile motion (Monash,
2026). This suggests that the turning point is located just above the 4m tree and is utilized to
calculate the dilation factor of the parabola.
 An Observation is how the 2nd water balloon must hit near the middle of the raft. This is important
as it implies almost zero margin for error. If there were minor miscalculations in the solution and
the balloon were to strike the raft but not in its center, the attempt would be rendered invalid.

2.2 Assumptions
 An assumption is that there aren’t any other external forces (such as air resistance) present apart
from gravity acting upon both balloons. This is critical when developing a solution because it
simplifies mathematical modeling, enabling students to solely focus on the parabolic features of
the investigation rather than including factors such as Air Resistance.
 An assumption is that both water balloons are released via the catapult’s arm rather than the
base. This is important because it clarifies the y-coordinate in which the water balloon is released,
rather than being released 20 metres above sea level, the balloon is released 2 metres above the
previously mentioned point, significantly altering the result of the solution.
 An assumption is that the raft present in the model is 3-dimensional and presents length, width as
well as height, resulting in the target surface sitting slightly above sea level. The average raft size,
indicated by Nature Travels, is 3m x 6m x 0.5, and will be utilized for the report (Nature Travels,
2016). This is important because it clarifies the final y-coordinate where the water balloons will
impact.

2.3 Translation of Mathematical Aspects

Mathematical Concept Formula Purpose
Standard Form 2 General representation of a
y=ax + bx+ c
quadratic function.
Turning Point Form y=a(x−h) +k
2 Identifies the turning point of
the parabola
Intercept Form y=a(x−x 1 )(x−x 2) Identifies the x-intercepts of
the parabola
Quadratic Formula −b ± √ b2−4 ac Solves for x-intercepts when
x= factoring is not possible
2a
Substitution of Values 2 Solves for the dilation factor
y=a(x−h) +k
2 using known coordinates.
22=a(0−10) + 25

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3. Developing a Solution.
3.1 Applying Assumptions and creating the model
Key Coordinates:
 CatapultArm (0,22) – Launch point raised 2
units above the catapult base, reflecting the
assumption that the balloon is released from
the arm.
 TreeTop(10,24) – Tree sits 10 units right of
the catapult atop the hill, standing 4m tall,
Figure 1: Initial Coordinates plotted. which the balloon must narrowly clear.
 RaftSurface (45,0.5) – Landing target
positioned 0.5 units above sea level,
reflecting the assumption that the raft has 3-
dimenional height.

Figure 2: Initial Coordinates

3.2 Finding the Parabola and the location of the 1st Water Balloon
 The turning point of the water balloon’s flight
path was located just above the tree, marked
BalloonRequirement (10,25).
 To discover the dilation factor, the turning
point (10,25) and y-intercept was substituted
into the Turning Point Form equation, which
Figure 3: 1st Water Balloon's flight path can then be solved algebraically.
 After discovering the dilation factor (-0.03), it
can be substituted into the original Turning
Point Form ( y=a ( x−10 )2 +25) in
Figure 4: 1st Water Balloon's parabola.
GeoGebra to graphically determine whether
Discovering the Dilation Factor using a Graphics the balloon hit the middle of the raft.
Calculator:
2 2
y=a(x−h) +k22=a(0−10) + 25
−3
22=100 a+25−3=100 aa= ∨−0.03
100
Substituting in Dilation Factor as well as T.P for
GeoGebra:
2
y=−0.03 ( x −10 ) +25
This results in parabola falling short of the RaftSurface,
meaning that the 1st Water Balloon was unsuccessful
in reaching the middle of the raft at 45, 0.5.

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 3.3 Utilizing Intercept Form and Converting to Standard Form
 Shifting the model downward so that the
CatapultArm point is at the origin reveals the
x-intercepts of the parabola, which unlocks
intercept form, and makes finding the new
dilation factor easier.
 The RandomPoint was placed close enough to
the catapult to ensure that the Turning Point
Figure 5: Evidence of shifting the model of the resulting parabola is above the
requirement of 4 units.
 After finding the dilation factor, the Intercept
Form would need to be converted into
Standard Form so that it’s possible to
introduce a vertical shift of 22 units.

Figure 6: Evidence of use of Intercept Form

Intercept Form with Substituted Points to discover

Dilation Factor Using a Graphics Calculator:
y=a ( x−x 1 )( x −x2 )−21.5=a ( 45−0 ) ( 45−30 )
−21.5=a ( 45 )( 15 ) −21.5=675 a
−21.5
a= ∨−0.03185185185
675 Calculation 1: Used to convert Intercept into
Converting into Standard Form: Standard Form
y=−0.03185185185 ( x −0 ) ( x−30 )
y=−0.032 ( x 2−30 x )
2
y=−0.032 x +0.955555 x Introducing a vertical
shift of 22 units:
2
y=−0.032 x +0.96 x +22

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 3.4 Using Quadratic Formula to convert back into Intercept Form
to discover the parabola and location of the 2nd Balloon
 To refactorise the Standard Form (
2
y=−0.032 x +0.96 x +22) into Intercept
Form, the quadratic formula was used to find
the x-intercepts.
 After finding the x-intercepts and substituting
them into Intercept Form, GeoGebra would
generate the resulting parabola that
Figure 7: 2nd Water Balloon's flight path.
successfully passes though the RaftSurface
point.

Figure 8: 2nd Water Balloon's parabolic equation.

Substituting Values from Standard Form to the

Quadratic Formula using a Graphics Calculator:
2
y=−0.03185185185 x +0.955555 x +22
−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a
−0.96 ± √ 0.96 −(4)(−0.032)(22)
2
x=
−0.064 Calculation 2: Quadratic Equation -
−0.955555 ± √3.716048321
x=
−0.0637037037
−0.955555+ √ 3.716048321
x 1= =−15.26050133
−0.0637037037
−0.955555− √3.716048321
x 2= =45.2604838
−0.0637037037
Substituting Values from Quadratic Formula to
Intercept Form:
y=−0.03185185185 ( x−x 1) ( x−x 2 ) Calculation 3: Quadratic Equation +

y=−0.03185185185(x +15.26050133)(x−45.2604838)
This results in the parabola directly passing the
RaftSurface point, suggesting that the 2nd Water
Balloon hits the middle of the raft and that the
solution is valid.

4. Evaluate, Verify and Improve

4.1 Evaluating and Verifying
4.1.1 – Verifying Results

- Balloon 1: To verify the 1st balloon, the key coordinates, including the turning point (10,25)
and y-intercept (0,22), were plugged, along with a suitable prompt, into MathGPT, a trusted
AI chatbot that excels in solving mathematics. MathGPT outputted this equation:
y=−0.03 ( x −10 ) +25. This solution matches up with the original equation, validating the
accuracy of the 1st water balloon’s path.

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 - Balloon 2: For the 2nd balloon, the same launch point (0,22) and the x-intercepts (-15.26,
45.26) were inserted into the FitPoly command (FitPoly(ListName,2)). GeoGebra generated
this equation: −0.03 x 2+ 0.96 x+ [Link] converted to Intercept Form, the equation (
y=−0.03(x +15.26)(x−45.26)) matches up with the originally solved equation, validating
the accuracy of the 2nd water balloon’s path.

4.1.2 – Justifying Reasonableness of the Solution considering observations.

- When evaluating the reasonableness of the solution by considering the observation that the model
wasn’t to scale and is purely a visual representation, it was found to be rational. This is crucial because it
prevented reliance on visual estimation, instead forcing the solution to be entirely based on precise
coordinates on a 1x1 grid, a scale which is accepted by various, trusted math institutes (Khan Academy,
2023, University of New England, 2015), ensuring the solution’s reasonableness.

- The observation that the water balloons travel in a parabolic motion supports the reasonableness of the
solution, as objects launched forward would experience a constant gravitational pull downwards, therefore
confirming a parabolic trajectory and the projectile motion theory (Monash, 2026). From this, the use of
quadratic functions to model the water balloon’s flight path is reasonable.

4.1.2 – Justifying Reasonableness of the Solution considering assumptions.

- It was assumed that there were no external forces present acting upon the water balloon during flight.
Although this removes complexity within the investigation, this makes the solution unreasonable, as in a
real-world scenario, the water balloons would be affected by air resistance, shortening its trajectory. This
is supported by PBB Learning Media, which states how a water balloon would be affected by air
resistance if launched far into the air (PBB Learning Media, 2026). Consequently, the calculated landing
position would differ to where the balloon truly lands, possibly making it fall short of the raft.

- It was assumed that both water balloons are released from the catapult’s arm
rather than its base. This assumption is reasonable, as in a real-life scenario, a
catapult operates by swinging its arm to launch objects. This is supported by the
United States Naval Undersea Museum, which clearly states and showcases how
a catapult releases objects through its arm rather than its base (United States
Naval Undersea Museum, 2020). This provides a clearly defined launch height of
22 metres above sea level, ensuring that the trajectories of both balloons were
aligned with real-world circumstances.
Figure 9: Diagram of Catapult

4.2 Strengths and Limitations

Strengths Limitations
Incorporating a 3-dimensional raft: Accounting Disregarding Air Resistance: In reality, air
for the raft’s height above sea level provides a resistance would decelerate the balloon
more precise landing y-coordinate that’s during its flight, resulting in the balloon falling
relative to real-life circumstances, improving short of the mathematically calculated result.
the accuracy of the solution.
Identifying how the catapult arm launches the Limited to 2-dimensional plane: Modelling the
balloons: Establishing that the balloon is trajectory in only 2 dimensions ignores any
released from the arm and at the correct excess movement that may be present in a 3-
launch height of 22 metres above sea level dimensional plane, such as wind or slight
ensures the initial y-coordinate is accurate, inconsistencies in the launch angle. This
producing a result that closely reflects reality. reduces the solution’s reliability when applied
to a real-world scenario.

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5. Conclusion
In conclusion, the investigation’s goal was to determine whether two different water balloons could
successfully hit a raft 30 metres away. By modelling the balloon’s flight path as a parabolic trajectory, it
was determined that the 1st water balloon cleared the 4-metre tree but failed to hit the raft. However, after
adjusting the dilation factor using intercept form, the 2nd balloon successfully hit the raft’s surface.
GeoGebra was instrumental when visualising and verifying these solutions. For further study, it would be
interesting to incorporate air resistance into the model as it would produce a trajectory that reflects
realistic projectile motion.

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6. Reference List
References8 Graphs of Quadratic Expressions: The Parabola. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2026, from
[Link]

Air Power: Experimenting with Balloons. (2021). PBS LearningMedia; Zoom.

[Link]
balloons/

MathGPT | AI Math Solver & Calculator. (2024). [Link]. [Link]

Monash University. (2025, February 28). Projectile Motion. Student Academic Success.
[Link]

Parabolas intro (video) | Intro to parabolas | Khan Academy. (n.d.). [Link].

[Link]
x2f8bb11595b61c86:intro-parabolas/v/parabolas-intro

What’s Happening? Potential and Kinetic Energy with Catapults. (n.d.).

[Link]

7. Appendixes

Appendix 1: MathGPT prompt and output

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Appendix 2: MathGPT full output

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