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oddjobmj
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Homework Statement
A uniform chain hangs in the shape of the catenary y=cosh(x) between x=−1 and x=1
Find [itex]\bar{y}[/itex]
Homework Equations
∫[itex]\bar{y}[/itex][itex]\rho[/itex]ds=∫y[itex]\rho[/itex]ds
The Attempt at a Solution
I can define ds (some small segment of the arc) by [itex]\sqrt{1+sinh(x)^2}[/itex]dx.
Also, y is given as y=cosh(x)
If I take the integral above from -1 to 1 as:
∫cosh(x)*[itex]\sqrt{1+sinh(x)^2}[/itex]dx
I get ~2.8
The problem I have with this answer is that the maximum y of this catenary is y=cosh(1) which is below y=2. The minimum value of the catenary is y=cosh(0)=1 so the y centroid should be somewhere between those two points.
What am I doing wrong? Thanks!
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