Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL- Building Bridges Toolkit Activity

Shreya Shetty- DP1

Exploring the bridges:
A. Clifton Suspension Bridge:
In this investigation, the shape of the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s curve and will be
analyzed using mathematical tools such as quadratic equations and catenary curve.

After importing the above picture on Desmos, I chose certain points that describe the
shape of the general curve for this bridge. The table below gives the data for the x and y
coordinates derived from the curve of the bridge.

x y
0 2
1 1.8
2 1.6
3 1.4
4 1.3
5 1.25
6 1.2
7 1.15
8 1.2
9 1.3
10 1.45
11 1.6
12 1.8

After plotting the above data on Desmos, we can present this date in the form of a
quadratic equation in the vertex form, y = a (x-p)2 + q, where ‘a’ determines whether the
parabola is facing upwards on downwards, depending on if it’s a positive or negative
value, ‘p’ determines the x-coordinate of the vertex and ‘q’ determines the y-coordinate
of the vertex.
We can use Desmos’ regression tool for fitting the curve and by doing so, we get the
equation Y = 0.0202797x^{2} - 0.262038x + 2.02363 and a vertex of (6.46059, 1.17717). We
 get this equation by substituting ‘a’ with 0.0202797 and ‘p’ and ‘q’ with the coordinates
of the vertex. After substituting the values and expanding the equation, we get the same
equation we got through Desmos’ regression tool.

We must consider the ropes of the suspension bridge, which would hang in the form of a
Catenary Curve. A Catenary Curve is most commonly used to describe the shape of any
freely hanging string and mathematically, it provides us with the graph of the hyperbolic
cosine function. The common equation for this curve is y = acosh (x-b/a) + c. In this
equation, the hyperbolic cosine function describes a curve that grows exponentially as x
moves away from the origin. ‘a’ determines the openness/narrowness of the curve, b’
determines the horizontal shift of the curve and ‘c’ determines the vertical shift of the
curve.
Using Desmos, we get the equation to be y = 1.5 cosh (x-7/1.5) + 1.15.

By comparing the quadratic regression line to the Catenary Curve equation, we can find
that although both the equations represent symmetric shapes, the axis of symmetry is
more apparent in the Catenary Curve. The Quadratic equation is more representative of
the shape of the curve while the Catenary equation is more representative of the physical
properties. The Quadratic regression tool determines the actual shape of the bridge using
the data points whereas the Catenary curve determines the idealized shape which does not
necessarily match that of the bridge.

B. Twenty-Four Bridge in Yangzhou:

We will be analyzing the shape of the Twenty-Four Bridge using mathematical tools such
as quadratic equations and semi-circular equation.

After importing the above picture on Desmos, I chose certain points that describe the
shape of the general curve for this bridge. The table below gives the data for the x and y
coordinates derived from the curve of the bridge.
 x y
0 0.1
0.3 0.7
0.5 0.9
0.8 1
1 1.1
1.5 1.05
1.7 1
2 0.8
2.5 0.1

After plotting the above data on Desmos, we can present this date in the form of a
quadratic equation in the vertex form, y = a (x-p)2 + q, where ‘a’ determines whether the
parabola is facing upwards on downwards, depending on if it’s a positive or negative
value, ‘p’ determines the x-coordinate of the vertex and ‘q’ determines the y-coordinate
of the vertex.
We can use Desmos’ regression tool for fitting the curve and by doing so, we get the
equation y = -0.646707x^{2} + 1.57976x + 0.190193 and a vertex of (1.22139, 1.15495).

We must consider the fact that the moon bridge must follow a semi-circular equation
which is y = √ (r2 – (x-a)2) + b. In this equation, a’ and ‘b’ determine the coordinates of
the vertex and ‘r’ determines the radius. Using Desmos’ regression tool, we find that the
equation is y = √ (1.55732 – (x – 1.22139)2) + 1.15495.

By comparing the quadratic regression line to the semi-circular equation, we can find that
the quadratic equation determines the shape of the parabola while the semi-circular
equation represents half of a circle and they both have different curvatures. The curvature
of the quadratic equation is a gradual curve that is determined by the coefficient -
0.646707 whereas the semi-circular equation has a fixed circular curvature.

C. The Mathematical Bridge at Queens Cambridge:

We will be analyzing the shape of The Mathematical Bridge using mathematical tools
such as quadratic equations.
 After importing the above picture on Desmos, I chose certain points that describe the
shape of the general curve for this bridge. The table below gives the data for the x and y
coordinates derived from the curve of the bridge.

x y
0 0
1 0.45
2 0.75
3 1
4 1.15
5 1.3
6 1.25
7 1.2
8 1.1
9 0.9
10 0.7
11 0.4

After plotting the above data on Desmos, we can present this date in the form of a
quadratic equation in the vertex form, y = a (x-p)2 + q, where ‘a’ determines whether the
parabola is facing upwards on downwards, depending on if it’s a positive or negative
value, ‘p’ determines the x-coordinate of the vertex and ‘q’ determines the y-coordinate
of the vertex.
We can use Desmos’ regression tool for fitting the curve and by doing so, we get the
equation, y = -0.0351399x^{2} + 0.415559x + 0.0461538 and a vertex of (5.91294,
1.27474).

Analysis of the bridges:

Which bridge was best described by a quadratic curve?

All three bridges are described by a quadratic curve, however, the Twenty-Four bridge has a larger
quadratic coefficient in comparison to the other two bridges, telling us that it has a more pronounced
parabolic shape. The Twenty-Four bridge also had a higher R2 value while obtaining the regression line
for the bridges, showing us that it had more precision and its comparison to the semi-circular curve shows
that the quadratic form is a better alternative for this bridge. Also, since the Mathematical Bridge had a
smaller quadratic coefficient, it may be better suited for a linear or slightly curved model. The symmetry
and vertex of the Twenty-Four bridge supports its quadratic curve, and its steep parabola informs us that it
can model for a significant height change over a relatively short horizontal distance, making a quadratic
curve suitable for representation this bridge. Therefore, the Twenty-Four Bridge was best described by a
quadratic curve.

Why is a quadratic curve used in many bridge designs?

The parabolic shape of quadratic curves makes it ideal for designing bridges as they distribute the weight
of the bridge evenly and can withstand the pressure of the bridge. Suspension bridges typically have the
tendency to naturally form a shape similar to that of a parabola, allowing the bridge to support its own
weight. Quadratic functions are practical for engineering purposes as they are easy to model and calculate
and they allow us to easily determine important measurements and make adjustments. Also, the parabolic
shape of these bridges allows for maximum clearance at the center of the span while maintaining its
weight, so that ships and other vehicles can pass from underneath.