Late!!!!!! ahhhh.....

In the real world a lot of things relate to what we're doing in class. Besides bridges and tunnels many buildings are built based on parabolas. I named a few in my previous post. When I graduate high school I want to major in music and minor in psychology. I don't really see how math connects to either one. But I guess you could say music and math somewhat relate because with music you have to have rhythm which is involved with timing (counting, measures etc.). Outside of class I like to shop, write poetry/music, play instruments, go to parties and hang with friends. What we're learning in class somewhat applies to my music life as I just said. Also with when I'm shopping and have to deal with sale prices and stuff like that. Other than that I can't see a correlation. That's all for this one!

Parabolas Everyday Part I

Parabolas in Everyday Life:
1. Stain glass windows in churches
2. The Sydney Opera House in Aussie
3. St. Louis Gateway Arch

Stain glass windows were commonly used to symbolize religious happenings in churches and cathedrals. The windows were decorative and informative and many times were donated by members of the congregation in memory of loved ones. These windows also help to monitor how much light is able to shine into the building. Not all stain glass windows are parabolic but those that are need more attention when being built. One incorrect measurement could cause the glass not to fit properly, or to fit but not sturdily and cause injury. I think this shape is used for more of a decorative aspect and is just more elaborate than the usual rectangular shaped window.

The Sydney Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October, 20 1973. It conducts 3,000 events each year and has an annual audience of 2 million for its performances. It’s only been open since 1973 but is just as representative of Australia as the pyramids are to Egypt. This building wasn’t purposely built with parabolas in place. Utzon had entered an anonymous competition for an opera house to be built in Australia. Out of about 230 entries his concept was selected. He didn’t even complete the project himself because he left it in the hand of Peter Hall. He along with others completed the interior of the Opera house, but it was all coincidence that it’s shape contained parabolas.

The St. Louis Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the US (630 ft). It was completed on October 28, 1965. Each year, about a million visitors ride the trams to the top of the Arch. They’ve been in operation for over 30 years and carried over 25 million passengers. The arch is a catenary curve, meaning if a parabola were rolled along a straight line it would trace out a catenary. The word catenary derives from the latin word for chain. A flexible curve, supported at both ends, that hangs and is acted on by gravity is a catenary. This shape allows for the St. Louis Gateway Arch to be able to move up to 18 inches (wind at 150 mph). It is built to withstand any type of destructive storm.

Links to Pictures:

http://staytondailyphoto.com/photos/stained_glass_church2.jpg

http://www.underthesoutherncross.org/assets/images/australia-sydney-opera-house.jpg

http://www.orgsites.com/mo/stlchristianhomesports/StLouisArch.jpg