Right, but isn&#x27;t the roadway&#x27;s weight uniformly distributed along the length of the main cable?<p>Maybe a linear weight distribution favors the parabola, while a curved weight distribution (i.e. the cable&#x27;s own weight when hanging free) causes the catenary? That makes sense to me, there&#x27;s more weight per linear meter at the ends than in the center when considering just the cable&#x27;s weight.