TITLE: What is the maximum y-value of the following function?
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: What is the maximum y-value of the following function?
$$y=8t - \frac{t^2}{2} -24 $$
It can be done by using the parabolic equation , setting the equation is equal zero. But is there any other straight forward or  shortest method to do this?

REPLY [2 votes]: for the form of $y = ax^2 + bx + c$ the min (or max) is : 
$$y=c-\frac{b^2}{4a}$$
which in this case is :
$$-24+32=8$$