Beer, 5th. Ed.

Sample Problem 2.3

Four forces act at bolt A as shown. Determine the resultant

force.
 Polygon Method: R
80N
R2
2
1
2 2
R = 110 + 100 − 2(110)(100) cos105 
110N θ μ φ
R1 = 166.7 N R1
1050
sinθ sin105 150N
100N
=
R1 100N
ϒ
300
θ = 35.41
γ = θ + (90  − 30  ) = 95.41

€ R 22 = 1502 + 166.72 − 2(150)(166.7) cos 95.41 R 2 = 234.52 + 802 − 2(234.5)(80) cos 54.96 
R 2 = 234.5 N R = 199.6 N
sinµ sin95.41
= Can you determine the direction of R?
150N R2 Yes, use the COSINE RULE
€
µ = 39.55 

ϕ = θ + µ − 20  = 54.96 

€
 Resolution method:

→ +ΣFx = F1x + F2x + F3x + F4x

= 150 cos 30  + (−80 sin20  ) + 100 cos15
= 199.1 N
↑ +ΣFy = 150 sin30  + 80 cos 20  −110 −100 sin15
= 14.3 N
R 2 = (ΣFx )2 + (ΣFy )2
R 2 = 199.12 + 14.32
R = 199.6 N
Direction of resultant R
⎛ ΣF ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
y −1 14.3
θ = tan ⎜
−1
⎜ ⎟
⎟ = tan ⎜ ⎟ = 4.1

⎝ ΣFx ⎠ ⎝199.1⎠

€
 Example 2.4

600 400 u

600N
Trigonometry method:

θ = 180o − 60o − 40o = 80o

600 Fu Fv Fu
o
= o
=
sin 40 sin 80 sin 60o 40⁰ 60⁰
600 sin 80o
Fu = o
= 919.25N Fv
θ
600 N
sin 40
600 sin 60o
Fv = o
= 808.38N
sin 40
 Beer, 5th. Ed
Problem 2.5

The 500-N force is to be resolved into two components acting

along lines a-a and b-b. Determine the angle α knowing that
component of F along line a-a is 400 N.

500 N
b

α 500
a
a

Answer: Fbb = 652.2 N; α = 92.2°

 Hibbeler F2.6

Answer: F = 3.11 kN; Fv = 4.39 kN

 Example 2.5

θ 300

F1 = 4330N, F2 = 2500N, θ = 600

F2
 If F2 is minimum, F2 should have the shortest length in the
force triangle. HOW? The line of action of force F2 should
be perpendicular to F1.

F1 = 5000 cos 30 = 4330 N 300

F2 = 5000 sin30 = 2500 N
F1
θ = 60 
5000N

F2
€ θ

Line of action F2 is
perpendicular to F1
 Beer, 5th. Ed.
Sample Problem 2.2

1
300
B
α
2

A barge is pulled by two tugboats. If the resultant of the forces

exerted by the tugboats is a 5000-N force directed along the axis
of the barge, determine:
a.  tension in each of the ropes, knowing that θ = 450
b.  value of α such that the tension in rope 2 is minimum
 θ
T1 T2

30o 45o

5000 N

θ = 180  − 45  − 30  = 105  5000sin45

T1 = = 3660 N
By trigonometry, using sine rule : sin105 

5000 T1 T2 5000sin30
= = T2 = = 2588 N
sin105 
sin 45 
sin 30  sin105 

€ €
 Line 1-1 is the known direction of T1. Possible directions of T2 are
shown by lines 2-2. Note that T2 = minimum occurs when T1 and T2
are perpendicular.

T1 = R cos 30 = 5000 cos 30 = 4330 N

T2 = R sin30 = 5000 sin30 = 2500 N
α = 60

€
 Example 2.7

Three forces act on a bracket as shown. The resultant of the

three forces has a magnitude of 1300 N. Determine the angle
θ and the magnitude of force F so that the magnitude of force
F is a minimum.

400 N
θ

F
300 N
 R = 1300N

300 N R1

Find resultant for forces 300N and 400N 400 N

F min

R1 = 300 2 +400 2 = 500 N

-1 ⎛ 300 ⎞ o
θ = tan ⎜ ⎟ = 36.87
⎝ 400 ⎠
F minimum when line of action of R1 same with Fminimum , so that:
F minimum = 1300 – 500 = 800 N
OR Resolve forces into rectangular x-y components:

→ +ΣFx = 400 + F cos θ

↓ + ΣFy = 300 + F sin θ
R 2 = (ΣFx )2 + (ΣFy )2
(1300)2 = (400 + F cos θ)2 + (300 + F sin θ)2
1690000 = (F 2 cos2 θ + 800F cosθ + 160000) + (F 2 sin2 θ + 600F sinθ + 90000)
1690000 = F 2 + 800F cosθ + 600F sinθ + 250000
∴ F 2 + 800F cosθ + 600F sinθ − 1440000 = 0......(1)

dF
F minimum when =0
€ dθ
dF dF
= 2F + 800F(− sin θ) + 600F(cos θ) = 0
dθ dθ
sin θ 600
= tan θ = = 0.75
cos θ 800
θ = 36.87  substitute in eqn. (1)
F 2 + 800F cos 36.87  + 600F sin36.87  − 1440000 = 0
F 2 + 1000F − 1440000 = 0
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
F= = 800 N
2a
 Example 2.8

Determine the magnitude and direction of the smallest force F3 so

that the resultant force of all three forces has a magnitude of 100N.
(Hibbeler 12eSI P2.140)

Answer: θ = 36o; F1 + F2 = 68.007 N; F3 = 31.993 N

 Beer, 5th. ed
Problem 2.31

Two loads are applied as shown to the end C of the boom BC.
Determine the tension in cable AC, knowing that the resultant
of the three forces exerted at C must be directed along BC.

600 C

200
400
40 N
B 60 N
First, find resultant forces for known forces
40N and 60 N:

R12 = 402 + 602 − 2(40)(60) cos160

∴ R1 = 98.54 N

To find relevant angles in the polygon

40 R1
θ: = ∴ θ = 7.98 

sinθ sin160
β: 60 − θ = 52.02

€Given resultant R is along line BC:

Using sine rule :
TAC R1
= ∴ TAC = 74.34 N
sin(40 + θ) sin 80
  POLYGON METHOD
R R1
= ∴ R = 78.87 N
sinβ sin 80
 OR
Set boom BC as x-axis and the y-axis perpendicular to BC.
Let resultant force R be along BC (x-axis). Hence, resultant
component (Ry) along the y-axis = 0.

A
+ ΣFy = 0
x

TAC sin 80 − 60 sin 40 − 40 sin 60 = 0
   600 400
TAC sin 80 = 60 sin 40 + 40 sin 60 = 500

60 sin 40 + 40 sin 60 800 C

TAC =
sin 80
∴ TAC = 74.34 N 200
400
40 N

€
B 60 N
 Beer, 5th. ed
Problem 2.33

A collar which may slide on vertical rod is subjected to the three

forces shown. Determine:
(a) the value of angle θ for which the resultant R of the
three forces is horizontal
(b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant R

110N

85N

θ
170N
Polygon method

Forces 170 N and 85 N make acute angle

R 1 = 1702 + 852 = 190.07 N

R
⎛ 85 ⎞ γ
-1
β = tan ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 26.57o β
110N
⎝170 ⎠ θ
R1

⎛ 110 ⎞
γ = sin-1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 35.36 o 170N
⎝190.07 ⎠ 85N
o o θ
θ = 90 − β − γ = 28.07
R = R 12 − 1102 = 155.01 N
 ↑ +ve ∑F y
= 0;
ATAUPUN
110 + 85sinθ = 170kosθ
from rumus, sin2θ + kos2θ = 1, so that:
110 + 85sinθ = 170 (1-sin2θ )
Square a both side:
852 sin2 θ + 2(85)(110)sinθ + 1102 = 1702 (1 - sin2θ )
36125 sin2 θ + 18700sinθ - 16800 = 0
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
sinθ =
2a
-18700 ± 187002 − 4(36125)(−16800)
sinθ =
2(36125)
−18700 ± 52700
sinθ =
72250
θ = 28.07o
Resultang Force:
→ +ve ∑ Fx = 170sin28.07o + 85kos28.07o
R = 155 N
 Tutorial 2.2

A ring shown in Figure S.2 is subjected to three forces. Determine

the range of magnitude of force P for which the magnitude of
resultant of the three forces does not exceed 2500N.
(Test 1 29/7/1999: similar to Beer P2.98, Hibbeler P2.50)

Q = 1000 N

300 600
S = 2000 N
O

Ans: 232.05N ≤ P ≤ 3232.05N

 P2

draw 2 lines parallel : OM // SQ

M P1
& SH //QP
900 Q
Distance OM 2500 N
OM = 1000 + 2000sin300 = 2000 2500 N

QM = 2000kos300 = 1000 3 H
P1M = MP2 = 25002 − OM 2 = 1500 1000 N
1200
∴ QP1 = QM − P1M = 232.05 N
∴ QP2 =QM+MP2 = 3232.05 N O
2000 N S
232.05 N ≤ P ≤ 3232.05 N
 +ve → Rx = 2000 + 1000kos 600 − Pkos 300
OR Rx = 2500 − P
3
2
+ve ↑ Ry = 1000 sin 600 + P sin 300
P
Ry = 500 3 +
2
R 2 = Rx2 + Ry2 given R = 2500N
2 2
⎛ 3 ⎞ ⎛ P ⎞
25002 = ⎜ 2500 − P ⎟ + ⎜ 500 3 + ⎟
⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
3 2 P2
6250000 = 6250000 − 2500 3P + P + 750000 + 500 3P +
4 4
P 2 − 2000 3P + 750000 = 0
a = 1, b=-2000 3, c=750000
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
P =
2a
2000 3 ± (−2000 3)2 − 4(1)(750000)
P =
2
2000 3 ± 30000
P =
2
P = 232.06 N , 3232.05 N
 Tutorial 2.3

The bracket below is subjected to three forces P, Q and S.

Force Q is horizontal. Find the magnitude and direction of
P if the resultant of the three forces is vertically downward
and has magnitude of 2500 N.

Q = 2000 N θ
60°

P S = 3000 N

θ = 59.120, P = 1165.2N
Polygon Method

Resultant Force, OF = 2500 N O

MN = KM - KN
60° 3000 N
= 3000sin 600 - 2000 = 598.08 N

MF = OF - OM
= 2500 - 3000kos600 M
N
K
= 1000 N θ 2000 N

Tan θ = MF/MN P
θ = 59.120

P = MN 2 + MF 2 = (598.08)2 + (1000)2 F
P = 1165.2 N
 Rectangular Components

Resultant force is vertical:

Ry = 2500 N and Rx = 0

+ → ΣFx = R x = 0
−2000 + 3000 sin 60 − P cos θ = 0
P cos θ = 598.08 N .....(1) Q = 2000 N θ
60°
+ ↑ ΣFy = R y = −2500N
S = 3000 N
−P sin θ − 3000 cos 60 = −2500

P
P sin θ = 1000 N .......(2)

eqn.(2) ÷ eqn.(1)
tan θ = 1.672
θ = 59.12 replace in eqn.(1)
P = 1165.3 N

€
OR: Trigonometry
2000 N O
B
30°

2000
BK = = 2309.4 N
kos 30
Ο

3000 N
KN = 3000 − BK = 690.6 N K

OK = 2000 tan 30Ο = 1154.7 N 60o N

KF = 2500 − OK = 1345.3 N M
θ
Cosine Law, ΔKNF
P 2 = KN 2 + KF 2 − 2(KN )(KF )kos 60Ο
P
P 2 = 690.62 + 1345.32 − 2(690.6)(1345.3)0.5
P = 1165.5 N
Distance MN: F
Pkosθ = KN sin 60Ο
kosθ = 0.5132
θ = 59.13Ο
 Tutorial 2.4

A 600-N force acts vertically downward at the end of rod A as

shown. Determine angle θ if this force resolved into a component
acting along AC is 800 N, and another component along rod AB.

θ
A

60°

600 N B

θ = 79.50, FAB = 908.3N

sine law:
sinβ sin 60Ο A
= 800 N
600 800
θ
β = 40.51Ο C
β B
600 N
so that:
60°
FAB
θ = 180 − 60 − β
Ο Ο

θ = 79.5Ο B'

Force FAB :
FAB 800
=
sin θ sin 60Ο
FAB = 908.3 N
 OR

∑F x
= Rx = 0 A
1600 sin θ 800sinθ
FAB = .......(1)
3 θ FABsin60°
60°
↓ +ve :∑ Fy = Ry = 600 N
FAB 800 800cosθ
+ 800 cos θ = 600 replace equ.(1)
2 FABcos60°
600 N
800sinθ
= 600 − 800 cos θ
3
800 1 − cos2 θ = 600 3 − 800 3 cos θ
square aboth side: when θ =79.5
2560000cos2θ − 2880000 cos θ + 440000 = 0 1600 sin 79.5
2
∴ FAB = = 908.3 N
−b ± b − 4ac 3
cos θ =
2a
cos θ = 0.9427, 0.1823
θ = 19.5 , 79.5