Using principles from physics it can be shown that when a cable is hung between two poles, it takes the shape of a curve y = f(x) that satisfies the differential equation where p is the linear density of the cable,

Is the acceleration due to gravity, and T is the tension in the cable at its lowest point, and the coordinate system is chosen appropriately. Verify that the function y = f(x) = T/pg cos (pgx/T) is a solution of this differential equation.

Transcribed Image Text:

- dy p9 d'y dy 1 + dx