How to solve this equation algebra 1

How do i start to solve? would appreciate a walk-thru! a bird sitting 16ft above the ground in an apple tree dislodges an apple. after how many seconds does the apple land on the ground? (assuming that no branches will interfere with it's fall)

Julian wrote the following numeric pattern on the board3,10,17,24,31,38.what numbers of julian's pattern are compound numbers.

Gabriel determined that his total cost would be represented by 2.5x + 2y – 2. his sister states that the expression should be x + x + 0.5x + y + y – 2. who is correct? explain.