
Parabola: “… is a conic section, the
intersection of a right circular conical
surface and a plane parallel to a
generating straight line of that surface.”
y(x) =
2
x
Suspension Bridges
 Parabolic Antenna
 Optical Lenses
 Projectile Motion
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
Hanging Chain
= Catenary,
y = Cosh(x) - 1
• Hanging Chain & Weight
= Parabola,
y = x2
• Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
= Awesome show from the 90s
• Truss
• Suspension
• Beam
Arch
Cantilever
Suspension
Cablestayed
 Truss



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• Tibetan architect and
engineer Thangtong
Gyalpo was the first to
use the “suspension
bridge” idea circa 1430

Main parts:
›
›
›
›
›
Towers
Deck
Anchorage
Cables
Stringers


y = Ax2 + Bx + C
(y-k)2 = 4p(x-h)
› (h, k) : Vertex of the Parabola
› p| : Distance from the Vertex
› p : Direction Parabola Opens
› (h+p, k) when p is positive
or (h, k+p) when p is negative = Focus