4. The profile of the cables of a suspension bridge may be modeled by a parabola. The central span of the Golden Gate Bridge is 1280 meters long and 152 meters high. The parabola y = 0.00037x² gives a good fit to the shape of the cables, where |x| ≤ 640, and x and y are measured in meters. Find the definite integral that gives the length of the cables that stretch between the tops of the two towers (set-up but do not solve).

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Author:James Stewart
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Chapter1: Functions And Models
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**Title: Calculating the Length of Suspension Bridge Cables Using Definite Integrals**

---

**Introduction:**
The profile of the cables of a suspension bridge can be modeled by a parabola. In this lesson, we'll explore how to set up the definite integral to find the length of the cables for the central span of the Golden Gate Bridge.

**Problem Statement:**
Consider the central span of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 1280 meters long and 152 meters high. The shape of the cables can be approximated by the parabolic equation \( y = 0.00037x^2 \), where \(|x| \leq 640\) and both \(x\) and \(y\) are measured in meters. 

**Objective:**
Find the definite integral that gives the length of the cables stretching between the tops of the two towers. We will set up the integral without solving it.

**Parabolic Equation:**
\[ y = 0.00037x^2 \]

**Integration Setup:**
To determine the length of the parabolic cable, we use the arc length formula for a function \( y = f(x) \):

\[ L = \int_{a}^{b} \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2} \, dx \]

**Step-by-Step Integral Setup:**

1. **Differentiate the Parabolic Equation:** First, find the derivative of \(y\) with respect to \(x\):
   \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}(0.00037x^2) = 0.00074x \]

2. **Compute \(\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2\):**
   \[ \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 = (0.00074x)^2 = 0.0005476x^2 \]

3. **Set Up the Integrand:** Substitute \(\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2\) into the arc length formula:
   \[ \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2} = \sqrt{1 + 0.0005476x^2} \]

4. **Define the Limits of Integration:**
   Since the span of the bridge is from \(-640\) meters to \(640\) meters:
Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Calculating the Length of Suspension Bridge Cables Using Definite Integrals** --- **Introduction:** The profile of the cables of a suspension bridge can be modeled by a parabola. In this lesson, we'll explore how to set up the definite integral to find the length of the cables for the central span of the Golden Gate Bridge. **Problem Statement:** Consider the central span of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is 1280 meters long and 152 meters high. The shape of the cables can be approximated by the parabolic equation \( y = 0.00037x^2 \), where \(|x| \leq 640\) and both \(x\) and \(y\) are measured in meters. **Objective:** Find the definite integral that gives the length of the cables stretching between the tops of the two towers. We will set up the integral without solving it. **Parabolic Equation:** \[ y = 0.00037x^2 \] **Integration Setup:** To determine the length of the parabolic cable, we use the arc length formula for a function \( y = f(x) \): \[ L = \int_{a}^{b} \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2} \, dx \] **Step-by-Step Integral Setup:** 1. **Differentiate the Parabolic Equation:** First, find the derivative of \(y\) with respect to \(x\): \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}(0.00037x^2) = 0.00074x \] 2. **Compute \(\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2\):** \[ \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 = (0.00074x)^2 = 0.0005476x^2 \] 3. **Set Up the Integrand:** Substitute \(\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2\) into the arc length formula: \[ \sqrt{1 + \left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2} = \sqrt{1 + 0.0005476x^2} \] 4. **Define the Limits of Integration:** Since the span of the bridge is from \(-640\) meters to \(640\) meters:
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