Bridge Problem: Figure 12-6c is a photograph of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California. A

Chapter 12, Problem 3

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Bridge Problem: Figure 12-6c is a photograph of Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California. A similar bridge under construction is shown in Figure 12-6d. The span of the bridge is to be 1000 ft, and it is to rise 250 ft at the vertex of the parabola. The roadway is horizontal and will pass 20 ft above the vertex. Vertical columns extend between the parabola and the roadway, spaced every 50 ft horizontally. Figure 12-6c Figure 12-6d a. Using convenient axes, find the particular equation of the parabola. b. The construction company that builds the bridge must know how long to make each vertical column. Make a table of values showing these lengths. c. To order enough steel to make the vertical columns, the construction company must know the total length. By appropriate operations on the values in the table in part b, calculate this total length. Observe that there is a row of columns on both sides of the bridge.