Two thin poles, \(OA\) and \(BC\), are fixed vertically on horizontal ground. A chain is fixed at \(A\) and \(C\) such that it touches the ground at point \(D\) as shown in the diagram.
On a coordinate system the coordinates of \(A\), \(B\) and \(D\) are \((0, 3)\), \((5, 0)\) and \((2, 0)\).
\includegraphics{figure_5}
It is required to find the height of pole \(BC\) by modelling the shape of the curve that the chain forms.
Jofra models the curve using the equation \(y = k \cosh(ax - b) - 1\) where \(k\), \(a\) and \(b\) are positive constants.
- Determine the value of \(k\). [2]
- Find the exact value of \(a\) and the exact value of \(b\), giving your answers in logarithmic form. [5]
Holly models the curve using the equation \(y = \frac{1}{4}x^2 - 3x + 3\).
- Write down the coordinates of the point, \((u, v)\) where \(u\) and \(v\) are both non-zero, at which the two models will agree. [1]
- Show that Jofra's model and Holly's model disagree in their predictions of the height of pole \(BC\) by \(3.32\)m to 3 significant figures. [3]