Can you solve this using matlab functions?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

No, because the given formula is obviously incorrect. The shape of a catenary depends on the height difference and the distance between the two endpoints. Obviously the shape does not depend on where you start measuring the locations of the endpoints: if you move your x = 0 a kilometre down the road, that is not going to change the shape of the curve.

And yet we are expected to believe that the given formula is correct, even though it says that the shape depends on a which is the initial x coordinate, since the integral is from a to b

If we were to move the entire system 12 feet to the right then the shape would clearly be the same, but the formula would then involve x/0 for the shape, which is obviously wrong since the shape would not change.

If we were to move the wall of the house 12 feet to the right then the shape would change, but clearly the new shape would not involve x/0

So, No, the problem is stated incorrectly.