Chapter 2, Problem 26P

The height of a small rocket y can be calculated as a function of time after blastoff with the following piecewise function:

$\begin{array}{l}y=38.1454t+0.13743t^{3}0\le t<15\\ y=1036+130.909\left(t-15\right)+6.18425{\left(t-15\right)}^2\\ -0.428{\left(t-15\right)}^{3}15\le t<33\\ y=2900-62.468\left(t-33\right)-16.9274{\left(t-33\right)}^2\\ +0.41796{\left(t-33\right)}^{3}t<33\end{array}$

Develop a well-structured pseudocode function to compute y as a function of t. Note that if the user enters a negative value of t or if the rocket has hit the ground $\left(y\le 0\right)$ then return a value of zero for y. Also, the function should be invoked in the calling program as height $\left(t\right)$. Write the algorithm as (a) pseudocode, or (b) in the high-level language of your choice.