CHAPTER 2

PROBLEM 2.1
Two forces P and Q are applied as shown at point A of a hook support.
Knowing that P = 15 N and Q = 25 N, determine graphically the
magnitude and direction of their resultant using (a) the parallelogram law,
(b) the triangle rule.

SOLUTION

(a)

(b)

We measure: R = 37 N, α = 76°

R = 37 N 76° t

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 PROBLEM 2.2
Two forces P and Q are applied as shown at point A of a hook support.
Knowing that P = 45 N and Q = 15 N, determine graphically the
magnitude and direction of their resultant using (a) the parallelogram law,
(b) the triangle rule.

SOLUTION

(a)

(b)

N
We measure: R = 57 N, α = 86°

R = 57 N 86° t

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 PROBLEM 2.3
Two forces are applied to an eye bolt fastened to a beam. Determine
graphically the magnitude and direction of their resultant using (a) the
parallelogram law, (b) the triangle rule.

SOLUTION

(a) Parallelogram law:

(b) Triangle rule:

We measure:
R = 10.5 kN
α = 22.5°

R = 10.5 kN 22.5° t

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 PROBLEM 2.4
A disabled automobile is pulled by means of ropes subjected to the two
forces as shown. Determine graphically the magnitude and direction of
their resultant using (a) the parallelogram law, (b) the triangle rule.

SOLUTION

(a) Parallelogram law:

We measure:
R = 5.4 kN α = 12°
R = 5.4 kN 12° t

(b) Triangle rule:

We measure:
R = 5.4 kN α = 12°
R = 5.4 kN 12° t

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 PROBLEM 2.5
The 200-N force is to be resolved into components along lines a-a′ and
b-b′. (a) Determine the angle α using trigonometry knowing that the
component along a-a′ is to be 150 N. (b) What is the corresponding
value of the component along b-b′ ?

SOLUTION

Using the triangle rule and the Law of Sines

sin β sin 45°
(a) =
150 N 200 N
sin β = 0.53033
β = 32.028°
α + β + 45° = 180°

α = 103.0° t
(b) Using the Law of Sines
Fbb′ 200 N
=
sin α sin 45°
Fbb′ = 276 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.6
The 200-N force is to be resolved into components along lines a-a′ and
b-b′. (a) Determine the angle α using trigonometry knowing that the
component along b-b′ is to be 120 N. (b) What is the corresponding
value of the component along a-a′ ?

SOLUTION

Using the triangle rule and the Law of Sines

sin α sin 45°
(a) =
120 N 200 N
sin α = 0.42426
α = 25.104°

or α = 25.1° t
(b) β + 45° + 25.104° = 180°
β = 109.896°
Using the Law of Sines
Faa′ 200 N
=
sin β sin 45°
Faa′ 200 N
=
sin109.896° sin 45°
or Faa′ = 266 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.7
Two forces are applied as shown to a hook support. Using trigonometry
and knowing that the magnitude of P is 600 N, determine (a) the required
angle α if the resultant R of the two forces applied to the support is to be
vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION
Using the triangle rule and the Law of Cosines,
Have: β = 180° − 45°
β = 135°
Then:

R2 = (900) + (600) − 2 (900)(600) cos 135°

2 2

or R = 1390.57 N

Using the Law of Sines,

600 1390.57
=
sin γ sin135°
or γ = 17.7642°
and α = 90° − 17.7642°
α = 72.236°

(a) α = 72.2° t

(b) R = 1.391 kN t

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 PROBLEM 2.8
Two control rods are attached at A to lever AB. Using trigonometry and
knowing that the force in the left-hand rod is F1 = 30 N, determine
(a) the required force F2 in the right-hand rod if the resultant R of the
forces exerted by the rods on the lever is to be vertical, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

By trigonometry: Law of Sines

F2 R 30
= =
sin α sin38° sin β

α = 90° − 28° = 62°, β = 180° − 62° − 38° = 80°

Then:

F2 R 30 N
= =
sin62° sin38° sin80°

or (a) F2 = 26.9 N t

(b) R = 18.75 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.9
Two control rods are attached at A to lever AB. Using trigonometry and
knowing that the force in the right-hand rod is F2 = 20 N, determine
(a) the required force F1 in the left-hand rod if the resultant R of the
forces exerted by the rods on the lever is to be vertical, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

Using the Law of Sines

F1 R 20 N
= =
sin α sin38° sin β

α = 90° − 10° = 80°, β = 180° − 80° − 38° = 62°

Then:

F1 R 20 N
= =
sin80° sin38° sin62°

or (a) F1 = 22.3 N t

(b) R = 13.95 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.10
An elastic exercise band is grasped and then is stretched as shown.
Knowing that the tensions in portions BC and DE of the band are 80 N
and 60 N, respectively, determine, using trigonometry, (a) the required
angle α if the resultant R of the two forces exerted on the hand at A is to
be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

60 N 80 N
Using the Law of Sines: =
sin α sin10°

or α = 7.4832°

β = 180° − (10° + 7.4832°)

= 162.517°

Then:

R 80 N
=
sin162.517° sin10°

or R = 138.405 N
(a) α = 7.48° t
(b) R = 138.4 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.11
To steady a sign as it is being lowered, two cables are attached to the sign
at A. Using trigonometry and knowing that α = 25°, determine (a) the
required magnitude of the force P if the resultant R of the two forces
applied at A is to be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

Using the triangle rule and the Law of Sines

Have: β = 180° − (35° + 25°)

= 120°

P R 80 N
Then: = =
sin35° sin120° sin25°

or (a) P = 108.6 N t

(b) R = 163.9 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.12
To steady a sign as it is being lowered, two cables are attached to the sign
at A. Using trigonometry and knowing that the magnitude of P is 70 N ,
determine (a) the required angle α if the resultant R of the two forces
applied at A is to be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

Using the triangle rule and the Law of Sines

80 N 70 N
(a) Have: =
sin α sin35°

sin α = 0.65552

α = 40.959°

or α = 41.0° t

(b) β = 180 − (35° + 40.959°)

= 104.041°

R 70 N
Then: =
sin104.041° sin35°

or R = 118.4 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.13
As shown in Fig. P2.11, two cables are attached to a sign at A to steady
the sign as it is being lowered. Using trigonometry, determine (a) the
magnitude and direction of the smallest force P for which the resultant R
of the two forces applied at A is vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude
of R.

SOLUTION

We observe that force P is minimum when α = 90°.

Then:
N (a) P = (80 N ) sin35°
or P = 45.9 N t
And:
(b) R = (80 N ) cos35°
or R = 65.5 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.14
As shown in Fig. P2.10, an elastic exercise band is grasped and then is
stretched. Knowing that the tension in portion DE of the band is 70 N,
determine, using trigonometry, (a) the magnitude and direction of the
smallest force in portion BC of the band for which the resultant R of the
two forces exerted on the hand at A is directed along a line joining points
A and H, (b) the corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

For TBC to be a minimum,

R and TBC must be perpendicular.

Thus TBC = (70 N) sin 4°
= 4.8829 N
And R = (70 N) cos4°
= 69.829 N

(a) TBC = 4.88 N 6.00° t

(b) R = 69.8 N t

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 PROBLEM 2.15
Solve Prob. 2.1 using trigonometry.
Problem 2.1: Two forces P and Q are applied as shown at point A of a
hook support. Knowing that P = 15 N and Q = 25 N, determine
graphically the magnitude and direction of their resultant using (a) the
parallelogram law, (b) the triangle rule.

SOLUTION

Using the force triangle and the Laws of Cosines and Sines
We have:

γ = 180° − (15° + 30°)

= 135°

R2 = (15 N) + (25 N ) − 2(15 N)( 25 N) cos135°

2 2
Then:

= 1380.33 N2
or R = 37.153 N
N
and

25 N 37.153 N
=
sin β sin135°

 25 N 
sin β =  sin135°
 37.153 N 

= 0.47581

β = 28.412°

Then: α + β + 75° = 180°

α = 76.588°

R = 37.2 N 76.6° t

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed, reproduced
or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited distribution to teachers and
educators permitted by McGraw-Hill for their individual course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual, you are using it without permission.

17