PROBLEM 1

Two forces P and Q are applied to the lid of a storage bin as shown.
Knowing that P = 48 N and Q = 60 N, determine by trigonometry the
magnitude and direction of the resultant of the two forces.

SOLUTION
Using the force triangle and the laws of cosines and sines:
We have

= 180 (20 + 10)

= 150

Then

R 2 = (48 N)2 + (60 N)2

2(48 N)(60 N) cos150
R = 104.366 N

and

Hence:

48 N 104.366 N
=
sin
sin150
sin = 0.22996
= 13.2947

= 180 80
= 180 13.2947 80
= 86.705
R = 104.4 N

86.7

Page 1 of 5

PROBLEM 2
For the post of Prob. 2.36, determine (a) the required tension in
rope AC if the resultant of the three forces exerted at point C is
to be horizontal, (b) the corresponding magnitude of the
resultant.

SOLUTION
Rx = Fx =
Rx =

48
TAC + 640 N
73

R y = Fy =
Ry =

(a)

960
24
4
TAC +
(500 N) + (200 N)
1460
25
5

1100
7
3
TAC +
(500 N) (200 N)
1460
25
5

55
TAC + 20 N
73

(2)

For R to be horizontal, we must have R y = 0.

Set R y = 0 in Eq. (2):

55
TAC + 20 N = 0
73
TAC = 26.545 N

(b)

(1)

TAC = 26.5 N

Substituting for TAC into Eq. (1) gives

48
(26.545 N) + 640 N
73
Rx = 622.55 N
Rx =

R = Rx = 623 N

R = 623 N

Page 2 of 5

PROBLEM 3
Collar A is connected as shown to a 200-N load and can slide on
a frictionless horizontal rod. Determine the magnitude of the
force P required to maintain the equilibrium of the collar when
(a) x = 90 mm, (b) x = 300 mm.

SOLUTION
(a)

Free Body: Collar A

Force Triangle
P 200 N
=
90
410

(b)

Free Body: Collar A

P = 43.9 N

Force Triangle
P 200 N
=
3
5

P = 120 N

Page 3 of 5

PROBLEM 4
Three cables are used to tether a balloon as shown. Determine the
vertical force P exerted by the balloon at A knowing that the tension
in cable AD is 481 N.

SOLUTION

The forces applied at A are:

TAB , TAC , TAD , and P

where P = Pj. To express the other forces in terms of the unit vectors i, j, k, we write

AB = (4.20 m)i (5.60 m) j

AB = 7.00 m

AC = (2.40 m)i (5.60 m) j + (4.20 m)k AC = 7.40 m

AD = (5.60 m)j (3.30 m)k

AD = 6.50 m

AB
and
TAB = TAB AB = TAB
= ( 0.6i 0.8 j)TAB
AB

AC
TAC = TAC AC = TAC
= (0.32432i 0.75676 j + 0.56757k )TAC
AC

AD
TAD = TAD AD = TAD
= ( 0.86154 j 0.50769k )TAD
AD

Page 4 of 5

PROBLEM 4 (Continued)

Equilibrium condition:

F = 0: TAB + TAC + TAD + Pj = 0

Substituting the expressions obtained for TAB , TAC , and TAD and factoring i, j, and k:
( 0.6TAB + 0.32432TAC )i + (0.8TAB 0.75676TAC 0.86154TAD + P) j
+ (0.56757TAC 0.50769TAD )k = 0

Equating to zero the coefficients of i, j, k:

0.6TAB + 0.32432TAC = 0

(1)

0.8TAB 0.75676TAC 0.86154TAD + P = 0

(2)

0.56757TAC 0.50769TAD = 0

(3)

Setting TAD = 481 N in (2) and (3), and solving the resulting set of equations gives
TAC = 430.26 N
TAB = 232.57 N

P = 926 N

Page 5 of 5