Edexcel FP2 Specimen — Question 5

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleFP2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2)
SessionSpecimen
TopicHyperbolic functions

5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1c262813-4160-4eda-9a36-e4ba38182c8a-14_480_588_210_740} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} An engineering student makes a miniature arch as part of the design for a piece of coursework. The cross-section of this arch is modelled by the curve with equation $$y = A - \frac { 1 } { 2 } \cosh 2 x , \quad - \ln a \leqslant x \leqslant \ln a$$ where \(a > 1\) and \(A\) is a positive constant. The curve begins and ends on the \(x\)-axis, as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Show that the length of this curve is \(k \left( a ^ { 2 } - \frac { 1 } { a ^ { 2 } } \right)\), stating the value of the constant \(k\). The length of the curved cross-section of the miniature arch is required to be 2 m long.
  2. Find the height of the arch, according to this model, giving your answer to 2 significant figures.
  3. Find also the width of the base of the arch giving your answer to 2 significant figures.
  4. Give the equation of another curve that could be used as a suitable model for the cross-section of an arch, with approximately the same height and width as you found using the first model.
    (You do not need to consider the arc length of your curve)