1. **State the problem:** We need to find the height of the apple after 3 seconds given the height function $$h(t) = -16t^2 + 64t + 80$$ where $t$ is time in seconds. 2. **Formula and explanation:** The height function is a quadratic equation representing the vertical motion under gravity. The term $-16t^2$ accounts for the acceleration due to gravity (in feet per second squared), $64t$ is the initial velocity term, and $80$ is the initial height. 3. **Substitute $t=3$ into the height function:** $$h(3) = -16(3)^2 + 64(3) + 80$$ 4. **Calculate each term:** $$-16(3)^2 = -16 \times 9 = -144$$ $$64(3) = 192$$ 5. **Sum all terms:** $$h(3) = -144 + 192 + 80$$ 6. **Simplify:** $$h(3) = ( -144 + 192 ) + 80 = 48 + 80 = 128$$ 7. **Final answer:** The height of the apple after 3 seconds is **128 feet**.