How to solve a catenary problem

[StrugglingStudent]

RN1 = 3000

Edited May 10, 2016 by StrugglingStudent

[elfmotat]

What steps have you made to solve it? Are you given the equation for a catenary (/are you allowed to look it up), or are you supposed to derive it via calculus of variations? I remember the latter being pretty tedious.

[StrugglingStudent]

What steps have you made to solve it? Are you given the equation for a catenary (/are you allowed to look it up), or are you supposed to derive it via calculus of variations? I remember the latter being pretty tedious.

we are to derive it via calculus, and I already look it up, but i can't seem to understand the solution

[studiot]

There are several ways to analyse a catenary

So what subject are you studying this in and at what level?

 

There is no hint in your profile other than that your favourite subject is physics.

 

Looking at the picture you posted a snapshot of I don't think it came from a calculus of variations text book.

This is quite an advanced way to approaching the problem.

Note the calculus of variations is a more advanced technique, not normally taught until well after other forms of calculus have been studied.

The standard solution requires only more elementary calculus.

Why do you say you are required calculus to solve this?

 

How do you know the curve is a catenary, since the question does not state this and what do you know about this curve?

 

How do you know that RN1 = 3000 since the question does not state that either?

 

If this is a physics problem as it appears have you tried applying the standard conditions of equilibrium to the cable or part of it as a free body?