Real-Life Problems involving Parabola

The towers supporting the cable of a suspension bridge are 1200 m apart and 170 m above the bridge it supports. Suppose the cable hangs, following the shape of a parabola, with its lowest point 20 m above the bridge. What will be the coordinate of the vertex if we assume the bridge as our x-axis and the axis of symmetry as our y-axis ?

• (0, 0)

• (0, 20)

• (20, 0)

• (20, 20)

If we assume that the vertex of the parabola is at (0, 20), what should be the standard form of equation of the parabola in the given situation?

• $x^2=-4p\left(y-20\right)$

• $x^2=-4p\left(y+20\right)$

• $x^2=4p\left(y-20\right)$
  

• 
  

  $x^2=4p\left(y+20\right)$

What will be the coordinate of the top of the tower on the right side of the parabola?

• (170, 600)

• (-170, 600)

• (-600, 170)

• (600, 170)

Tags

CCSS.HSF-IF.C.7A

Using the coordinate of the top of the tower on the right side (600, 170), what will be the value of p in  $x^2=4p\left(y-20\right)$  ?

• 500

• 600

• 700

• 800

How high is the cable 120 m away from a tower? Use the equation: $x^2=2400\left(y-20\right)$  

• 26 m

• 62 m

• 116 m

• 161 m