Catenary Curves A chain (or cable) of uniform density that is suspended between two points, as shown in the figure, hangs in the shape of a curve called a catenary with equation y = a cosh(x/a).

The figure shows a telephone wire hanging between two poles at x = –25 and x = 25. The wire hangs in the shape of a catenary described by the equation

If the length of the wire between the two poles is 51 ft and the lowest point of the wire must be 20 ft above the ground, how high up on each pole should the wire be attached?

Transcribed Image Text:

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