1. In a suspension bridge the shape of the suspension cable is parabolic.

The
distance between the 2 towers are 100 m and the lowest point of the
suspension cable is 30 m below the mid point of the line joining the
highest point of the 2 towers. Find the height of the cable at 15 m and 30
m from the middle of the road. (8 Marks)
Answer:
-50

100m

50

(0,0)

30m
Vertex = (0,-30)
(x - h)2 = 4p (y - K)
(50 0)2 = 4p(0 + 30)
2500 = 4p(30)
20.83 = p

At 15 meter from the middle,

(x-h)2 = 4p (y - K)
(15-0)2 = 4(20.83)(y + 30)

h = -30 (-27.3)
= -2.7m

225 = 83.32y + 2499.6

-27.3 =y

At 30m from the middle,

(x-h)2 = 4p (y - K)
(30-0)2 = 4(2083) (y + 30)
900 = 83.32y + 2499.6
-28.9 = y

h = -30 - (-28.9)
= -1.1m

2. A bridge is to be built in the shape of a parabolic arch. The bridge has a

span of 120 m and a maximum height of 25 m. Find the height of the arch
at distance 10 m from the center. (6 Marks)
Answer:
x = 120m
y= 25m
25m

(0,0)

60m (centre)

(120,0)

Find quadratic equation for parabola using,

ax2 + bx +cy = y ,

c =0

At maximum height, x=60, y=25

a(60)2 + b(60) = 25
3600a + 60b = 25 ......... (1)

Span=120, height = 0
a(120)2 + 120b = 0
14400a + 120b = 0 ........... (2)
To find height of the arch at 10m from centre
X=70m
Using ax2 + bx +cy = y, find y
y = ax2 + bx +cy
y = (-0.006944)(70)2+(0.833)(70)
=24.3m

3. A parabolic is formed by revolving a parabola about its axis. A spotlight in

the form of a paraboloid 5 cm deep has its focus 2 cm from the vertex.

Find, to one decimal place, the radius R of the opening of the spotlight. (7
Marks)
Answer:
Equation of parabola,
x2=4py ..... (1)
Let, F(0,p) = F(0,2)
Thus, p= 2 .....(2)
Substitute (2) into (1),
x2 = 4(2)y
x2 = 8y
since, x = R, and y=5
R2=8(5)
R2=40
R=40
=6.3cm

4. A gigantic gate to the entrance of a theme park in the shape of a parabola

is constructed on a level ground. The horizontal distance between the end
points to the gigantic gate is 20 meters. The maximum height of the gigantic
gate from the ground is 5 meters. Calculate the height of the gigantic gate at
a horizontal distance of 4 meters from one of the end points. (9 Marks)
Answer:
vertex

(0,5)
5m
(-10,0)

(0,0)

(10,0)

20m
Since the parabola is downwards,
(x-h)2 = -4p(y-K)
Use coordinates from right end (10,0) and coordinates of the vertex (0,5)
x=10, y=0
h=0, k=5
Substitute the points inside the formula,
(x-h)2 = -4p (y - K)
(10-0)2 = -4p (0 - 5)
(10)2 = -4p (-5)
100 = -20p
p=5

(x - h) 2 = -4p(y - K)
(x - h) 2 = -4(5)(y - k)
(x - h)

= -20 (y - k)

(x - h)

= -20 + 20k

(x - h)

- 20k = -20y

[(x - h) 2/-20] + k = y
y = [(x - h) 2/-20] + k
4m from the end point,
(20m-4m) (10) = 6m
[(6m 0m) 2/-20] + 5 = y
= 36/-20 + 5
y = 3.2 m