3) The height in feet of a fire-works shell can be modeled
by h(t) = -16t^2 + 224t, where t is the time in seconds after
it is fired. Find the maximum height of the shell, the time it
takes to reach its maximum height, and the length of time the
shell is in the air.

solution:

yes it is a true statement that if we use several smaller valves instead of two larger valve size of open port increases.

but it totally depends on which kind of valves are being used.

also, it is   true that when we add area of two smaller valves it is smaller than area of one larger valve. consider two circles having radii 4 cm and one having radii 8 cm.the total area of two smaller circle will be 32π and area of larger circle will be 64 π.

option a.   both technicians a and b   are right.