If the total length of the curve is 2s, then s = c [ sinh ( a / c ) ] . c cannot be determined explicitly, but is the solution of the equation 2c [ sinh ( a / 2c ) ] = ( s ^ 2-b ^ 2 ) ^ 0.5 As far as I can see, there is no straightforward answer to such questions as " A heavy flexible inextensible string hangs from two points 10 units apart, with its lowest point 5 units below them.
