where a is the height of the lowest point on the chain above some horizontal reference line, x is the horizontal coordinate measured to the right from the lowest point, and y is the vertical coordinate measured up from the reference line. Let a=10 m.

Cables are used to suspend bridge decks and other structures. If a heavy uniform cable hangs suspended from its two endpoints, it takes the shape of a catenary curve whose equation is

y=acosh(x/a)

where a is the height of the lowest point on the chain above some horizontal reference line, x is the horizontal coordinate measured to the right from the lowest point, and y is the vertical coordinate measured up from the reference line. Let a=10 m. Plot the catenary curve for -20<=x<=30 m. How high is each endpoint?

[Adam]

As for your other question:

What is your question? The question title should be a short summary of the subject area you are asking about, the question body should contain the question that you are asking, not a pasted version of a question you are trying to answer.

https://uk.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/6200-tutorial-how-to-ask-a-question-on-answers-and-get-a-fast-answer

[Tamara Dunford]

I'm basically asking how so I begin to plot this problem.

[Matt J]

You seem to have a lot in common with sade chandler. See my advice to her,

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/370063-i-am-havng-trouble-with-plotting-this-curve

Answer 1

[Steven Lord]

If you're having difficulty with this assignment because you're new to MATLAB and so don't know what commands are available, I strongly recommend you go through the MATLAB Onramp tutorial. It contains sections on creating arrays and on plotting, the two skills that will be of most use to you in solving this problem.

If you've made a start but you've reached a point where you're stuck, show us how far you've gotten and describe the issue that's preventing you from proceeding and we may be able to offer suggestions to avoid or eliminate that issue.