by  a  Break  in  an  Overhead  Wire  carried  on  Poles.       639 
together  on 
a  curve,  although  of  course  the  intermediate 
points  on  the  curves  have  no  physical  meaning.  The 
asymptotic  approach  of  the  extreme  points  of  the  curves  to 
the  limiting  value  is  very  obvious. 
If  the  original  horizontal  tension  acted  on  one  side  of  a 
pole,  it  would  cause  a  deflexion  of  1*9  feet,  supposing  the  linear 
relation  to  hold  up  to  this  range. 
We  have  calculated  also  the  maximum  deflexions  liable  to 
be  caused  by  breakage  of  1,  2, ....  6  wires,  the  point  of  break 
beina  distant  from  both  fixed  ends. 
No.  of  Wires  broken. 
1      
2     
3     
1     
5     
6     
Deflexion. 
■03  ft. 
•07 
•127 
•215 
•367 
•696 
Fief.  2. 
1 1 1 1 1 
6  Wires   brohE' 
These  numbers  are  plottedan  fig.  2.     The  points  lie  on  an 
hyperbola,  as  is  shown  by  the   equation   obtained  abov 
connect  xn  and  s. 
to 
