Answer:
A quadratic equation for the large cables is [tex]f(x) = \dfrac{87 }{512072} \cdot x^2 + 1.5[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
The shape of the quadratic equation representing the large cables is a parabola
Taking the point of the smallest vertical cables as the vertex, (h, k) with coordinates, (0, 1.5), we have;
h = -b/(2·a)
∴ 0 = -b/(2·a), from which we have, b = 2·a × 0 = 0
k = 1.5 = c - (b²/(4·a) = c - (0/(4·a)) = c
∴ c = 1.5
The standard form of the quadratic equation, a·(x - h)² + k is therefore, given as follows;
f(x) = a·(x - 0)² + 1.5 = a·x² + 1.5
At the towers which are on either side of the bridge, when x = 1012/2 = 506, f(x) = y = 45
Therefore, we have;
45 = a·506² + 1.5
a = (45 - 1.5)/506² = 87/512072 ≈ 1.699 × 10⁻⁴
The quadratic equation for the large cables, f(x), can therefore be presented as follows;
[tex]f(x) = \dfrac{87 }{512072} \cdot x^2 + 1.5[/tex]
