00:02
So for this problem, they're asking us to write the equation of a parabola between two towers.
00:13
Now, this particular problem does not say what form they wanted in.
00:18
So i solved this problem using vertex form.
00:22
It can also be easily converted to standard form.
00:27
So it says that there is a suspension bridge, there is a cable between two towers, each tower is 500 feet tall, and the distance between the two towers is 4 ,200.
00:43
So we are looking for the equation of the parabola formed by the cable that connects the two towers.
00:52
Thinking of this as an xy plane, the vertex here, if this is 0 ,0, would be the point 21 .5.
01:11
100, 0, because we know that the vertex is halfway between the two ends.
01:24
This here, 0500, is another point.
01:34
Also, our y intercept.
01:38
So i used the vertex form, and i plugged in what i knew.
01:47
If this is the vertex, the x value is the h, the y value is the k.
01:52
And then i also use this point up here for my x and for my y.
01:58
So 500 is my y.
02:00
I do not know my a value...