PROBLEM 3.

10
The tailgate of a car is supported by the hydraulic lift BC. If the lift exerts
a 125-N force directed along its center line on the ball and socket at B,
determine the moment of the force about A.

SOLUTION

First note dCB = ( 344 mm )2 + (152.4 mm )2 = 376.25 mm

344 mm 152.4 mm
Then cosθ = sin θ =
376.25 mm 376.25 mm

and FCB = ( FCB cosθ ) i − ( FCB sin θ ) j

125 N
= ( 344 mm ) i + (152.4 mm ) j
376.25 mm 

Now M A = rB/ A × FCB

where rB/ A = ( 410 mm ) i − ( 87.6 mm ) j

125 N
Then M A = ( 410 mm ) i − ( 87.6 mm ) j × ( 344i − 152.4 j)
376.25

= ( 30770 N ⋅ mm ) k

= ( 30.770 N ⋅ m ) k

or M A = 30.8 N ⋅ m W
 PROBLEM 3.11
A winch puller AB is used to straighten a fence post. Knowing that the
tension in cable BC is 260 lb, length a is 8 in., length b is 35 in., and
length d is 76 in., determine the moment about D of the force exerted by
the cable at C by resolving that force into horizontal and vertical
components applied (a) at point C, (b) at point E.

SOLUTION
35 in. 5
(a) Slope of line EC = =
76 in. + 8 in. 12

12
Then TABx = (TAB )
13

12
= ( 260 lb ) = 240 lb
13

5
and TABy = ( 260 lb ) = 100 lb
13

Then M D = TABx ( 35 in.) − TABy ( 8 in.)

= ( 240 lb )( 35 in.) − (100 lb )( 8 in.)

= 7600 lb ⋅ in.

or M D = 7600 lb ⋅ in.

(b) Have M D = TABx ( y ) + TABy ( x )

= ( 240 lb )( 0 ) + (100 lb )( 76 in.)

= 7600 lb ⋅ in.

or M D = 7600 lb ⋅ in.
 PROBLEM 3.12
It is known that a force with a moment of 7840 lb ⋅ in. about D is required
to straighten the fence post CD. If a = 8 in., b = 35 in., and d = 112
in., determine the tension that must be developed in the cable of winch
puller AB to create the required moment about point D.

SOLUTION

35 in. 7
Slope of line EC = =
112 in. + 8 in. 24

24
Then TABx = TAB
25

7
and TABy = TAB
25

Have M D = TABx ( y ) + TABy ( x )

24 7
∴ 7840 lb ⋅ in. = TAB ( 0 ) + TAB (112 in.)
25 25

TAB = 250 lb

or TAB = 250 lb
 PROBLEM 3.13
It is known that a force with a moment of 1152 N ⋅ m about D is required
to straighten the fence post CD. If the capacity of the winch puller AB is
2880 N, determine the minimum value of distance d to create the
specified moment about point D knowing that a = 0.24 m and
b = 1.05 m.

SOLUTION

The minimum value of d can be found based on the equation relating the moment of the force TAB about D:

M D = (TAB max ) y ( d )

where M D = 1152 N ⋅ m

(TAB max ) y = TAB max sin θ = ( 2880 N ) sin θ

1.05 m
Now sin θ =
(d + 0.24 ) + (1.05 ) m
2 2

 
∴ 1152 N ⋅ m = 2880 N   (d )
1.05
 
 ( d + 0.24 )2 + (1.05)2 

or ( d + 0.24 )2 + (1.05)2 = 2.625d

or (d + 0.24 ) + (1.05 ) = 6.8906d 2

2 2

or 5.8906d 2 − 0.48d − 1.1601 = 0

Using the quadratic equation, the minimum values of d are 0.48639 m and −0.40490 m.
Since only the positive value applies here, d = 0.48639 m

or d = 486 mm
 PROBLEM 3.14
A mechanic uses a piece of pipe AB as a lever when tightening an
alternator belt. When he pushes down at A, a force of 580 N is exerted on
the alternator B. Determine the moment of that force about bolt C if its
line of action passes through O.

SOLUTION
Have M C = rB/C × FB

Noting the direction of the moment of each force component about C is

clockwise,

M C = xFBy + yFBx

where x = 144 mm − 78 mm = 66 mm

y = 86 mm + 108 mm = 194 mm

78
and FBx = ( 580 N ) = 389.65 N
( 78) 2
+ ( 86 )
2

86
FBy = ( 580 N ) = 429.62 N
( 78) + (86 )
2 2

∴ M C = ( 66 mm )( 429.62 N ) + (194 mm )( 389.65 N )

= 103947 N ⋅ mm

= 103.947 N ⋅ m

or M C = 103.9 N ⋅ m
 PROBLEM 3.15
Form the vector products B × C and B′ × C, where B = B′, and use the
results obtained to prove the identity
sin α cos β = 1
2
sin (α + β ) + 1
2
sin (α − β ) .

SOLUTION
First note B = B ( cos β i + sin β j)

B′ = B ( cos β i − sin β j)

C = C ( cos α i + sin α j)

By definition B × C = BC sin (α − β ) (1)

B′ × C = BC sin (α + β ) (2)

Now B × C = B ( cos β i + sin β j) × C ( cos α i + sin α j)

= BC ( cos β sin α − sin β cos α ) k (3)

B × C = B ( cos β i − sin β j) × C ( cos α i + sin α j)

= BC ( cos β sin α + sin β cos α ) k (4)

Equating magnitudes of B × C from Equations (1) and (3), (5)

sin (α − β ) = cos β sin α − sin β cos α

Similarly, equating magnitudes of B′ × C from Equations (2) and (4),

sin (α + β ) = cos β sin α + sin β cos α (6)

Adding Equations (5) and (6)

sin (α − β ) + sin (α + β ) = 2 cos β sin α

1 1
∴ sin α cos β = sin (α + β ) + sin (α − β )
2 2
 PROBLEM 3.16
A line passes through the points (420 mm, −150 mm) and (−140 mm,
180 mm). Determine the perpendicular distance d from the line to the
origin O of the system of coordinates.

SOLUTION
Have d = λ AB × rO/ A

rB/ A
where λ AB =
rB/ A

and rB/ A = ( −140 mm − 420 mm ) i + 180 mm − ( −150 mm )  j

= − ( 560 mm ) i + ( 330 mm ) j

rB/ A = ( −560 )2 + ( 330 )2 mm = 650 mm

− ( 560 mm ) i + ( 330 mm ) j 1
∴ λ AB = = ( −56i + 33j)
650 mm 65

rO/ A = ( 0 − x A ) i + ( 0 − y A ) j = − ( 420 mm ) i + (150 mm ) j

1
∴ d = ( −56i − 33j) ×  − ( 420 mm ) i + (150 mm ) j = 84.0 mm
65

d = 84.0 mm
 PROBLEM 3.17
A plane contains the vectors A and B. Determine the unit vector normal
to the plane when A and B are equal to, respectively, (a) 4i − 2j + 3k and
−2i + 6j − 5k, (b) 7i + j − 4k and −6i − 3k + 2k.

SOLUTION

A×B
(a) Have λ =
A×B

where A = 4i − 2 j + 3k

B = −2i + 6 j − 5k

i j k
Then A × B = 4 −2 3 = (10 − 18 ) i + ( −6 + 20 ) j + ( 24 − 4 ) k = 2 ( −4i + 7 j + 10k )
−2 6 −5

and A×B = 2 ( −4 )2 + ( 7 )2 + (10 )2 = 2 165

2 ( −4i + 7 j + 10k ) 1
∴ λ = or λ = ( −4i + 7 j + 10k )
2 165 165

A×B
(b) Have λ =
A×B

where A = 7i + j − 4k

B = −6i − 3j + 2k

i j k
Then A × B = 7 1 −4 = ( 2 − 12 ) i + ( 24 − 14 ) j + ( −21 + 6 ) k = 5 ( −2i + 2 j − 3k )
−6 −3 2

and A×B = 5 ( −2 )2 + ( 2 )2 + ( −3)2 = 5 17

5 ( −2i + 2 j − 3k ) 1
∴ λ = or λ = ( −2i + 2 j − 3k )
5 17 17
 PROBLEM 3.18
The vectors P and Q are two adjacent sides of a parallelogram.
Determine the area of the parallelogram when (a) P = (8 in.)i + (2 in.)j −
(1 in.)k and Q = −(3 in.)i + (4 in.)j + (2 in.)k, (b) P = −(3 in.)i + (6 in.)j +
(4 in.)k and Q = (2 in.)i + (5 in.)j − (3 in.)k.

SOLUTION

(a) Have A = P×Q

where P = ( 8 in.) i + ( 2 in.) j − (1 in.) k

Q = − ( 3 in.) i + ( 4 in.) j + ( 2 in.) k

i j k
Then P × Q = 8 2 −1 in 2 = ( 4 + 4 ) i + ( 3 − 16 ) j + ( 32 + 6 ) k  in 2
−3 4 2

( ) ( ) (
= 8 in 2 i − 13 in 2 j + 38 in 2 k )
∴ Α= (8)2 + ( −13)2 + ( 38)2 in 2 = 40.951 in 2 or A = 41.0 in 2

(b) Have A = P×Q

where P = − ( 3 in.) i + ( 6 in.) j + ( 4 in.) k

Q = ( 2 in.) i + ( 5 in.) j − ( 3 in.) k

i j k
Then P × Q = −3 6 4 in 2 = ( −18 − 20 ) i + ( 8 − 9 ) j + ( −15 − 12 ) k  in 2
2 5 −3

( ) ( ) (
= − 38 in 2 i − 1 in 2 j − 27 in 2 k )
∴ Α= ( −38)2 + ( −1)2 + ( −27 )2 in 2 = 46.626 in 2 or A = 46.6 in 2
 PROBLEM 3.19
Determine the moment about the origin O of the force F = −(5 N)i − (2
N)j + (3 N)k which acts at a point A. Assume that the position vector of
A is (a) r = (4 m)i − (2 m)j − (1 m)k, (b) r = −(8 m)i + (3 m)j + (4 m)k,
(c) r = (7.5 m)i + (3 m)j − (4.5 m)k.

SOLUTION

(a) Have MO = r × F

where F = − (5 N ) i − ( 2 N ) j + (3 N ) k

r = ( 4 m ) i − ( 2 m ) j − (1 m ) k

i j k
∴ MO = 4 −2 −1 N ⋅ m = ( −6 − 2 ) i + ( 5 − 12 ) j + ( −8 − 10 ) k  N ⋅ m
−5 −2 3

= ( −8i − 7 j − 18k ) N ⋅ m

or M O = − ( 8 N ⋅ m ) i − ( 7 N ⋅ m ) j − (18 N ⋅ m ) k

(b) Have MO = r × F

where F = − (5 N ) i − ( 2 N ) j + (3 N ) k

r = − (8 m ) i + ( 3 m ) j − ( 4 m ) k

i j k
∴ MO = −8 3 4 N ⋅ m = ( 9 + 8 ) i + ( −20 + 24 ) j + (16 + 15 ) k  N ⋅ m
−5 −2 3

= (17i + 4 j + 31k ) N ⋅ m

or M O = (17 N ⋅ m ) i + ( 4 N ⋅ m ) j + ( 31 N ⋅ m ) k

(c) Have MO = r × F

where F = − (5 N ) i − ( 2 N ) j + (3 N ) k

r = ( 7.5 m ) i + ( 3 m ) j − ( 4.5 m ) k
 PROBLEM 3.19 CONTINUED

i j k
∴ MO = 7.5 3 −4.5 N ⋅ m = ( 9 − 9 ) i + ( 22.5 − 22.5 ) j + ( −15 + 15 ) k  N ⋅ m
−5 −2 3

or M O = 0

 −2 
This answer is expected since r and F are proportional  F = r  . Therefore, vector F has a line of action
 3 
passing through the origin at O.