The main suspension bridge has cables in shape of a parabola. suppose pinte on tops of where towers and cables are attatched are 168 m apart and 24 m vertically above the minimum height. determine the quadratic function in vertex form that represents shape of origin. Identify origin u used. Please list all the steps as i do not understand how to do this. thanks!

Question

Reiny · Answer

I will let the y-axis be the axis of symmetry
So the vertex is (0,24)

so the equation must be
y = a(x-0)^2 + 24
y = ax^2 + 24
but we have two points at the top of the tower, (84,??) and (-84,??)

Unless I am misreading the question, we are missing information.
How high are the cables connected?

Steve · Answer

Let the vertex be (0,0) Then we have y = ax^2 y(84) = 24 so, find a.

Anonymous · Answer

No u can use any point of origin u want. i would reccommend using 0

Anonymous · Answer

But question is how to find a

Gucci$harma · Answer

Steve why does the y value multiplied by 84 =24