Distance between two points

[Harlicks]

 

[Denis]

Well, hello to you too!

Are you asking what the shape of the cable is?
If so, go here:

Catenary - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Harlicks]

It's in the question, the distance between the poles is required

 

[MarkFL]

Hint: This is a bit of a trick question...consider the poles moving closer and closer to each other.

 

[Harlicks]

I solved it and got zero

 

[MarkFL]

I solved it and got zero

Yes, if the cable is 80 m long, and goes down 40 m and then back up 40 m, then the poles must be at the same location, or 0 m apart.

 

[Denis]

Yes, if the cable is 80 m long, and goes down 40 m and then back up 40 m, then the poles must be at the same location, or 0 m apart.

Beautyfull! Mark, you should take the "Amazon Test": you'll ace it!

 

[MarkFL]

Beautyfull! Mark, you should take the "Amazon Test": you'll ace it!

I'd like to take credit for seeing the trick here, but I did a search for "catenary" at MHB and found this exact same problem posted in 2013.

 

[Steven G]

Well, hello to you too!

Are you asking what the shape of the cable is?
If so, go here:

Catenary - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I am impressed (OK shocked) that you know what a Catenary is.

 

[Denis]

I'll never cease to amaze you...