PROBLEM 2.

A stake is being pulled out of the ground by means of two ropes as shown.
Knowing that α = 30°, determine by trigonometry (a) the magnitude of the
force P so that the resultant force exerted on the stake is vertical, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of the resultant.

SOLUTION

Using the triangle rule and the law of sines:

120 N P
(a) = P = 101.4 N 
sin 30° sin 25°
(b) 30° + β + 25=° 180°
β
= 180° − 25° − 30°
= 125°
120 N R
= R = 196.6 N 
sin 30° sin125°
 PROBLEM 2.15

For the hook support shown, determine by trigonometry the

magnitude and direction of the resultant of the two forces applied
to the support.

SOLUTION

Using the law of cosines:

=R 2 (200 lb) 2 + (300 lb) 2
− 2(200 lb)(300 lb) cos (45 + 65°)
R = 413.57 lb

sin α sin (45α + 65°)

Using the law of sines: =
300 lb 413.57 lb
= α 42.972°
β = 90 + 25 − 42.972° R = 414 lb 72.0° 
 PROBLEM 2.18

For the stake of Prob. 2.5, knowing that the tension in one rope is 120 N,
determine by trigonometry the magnitude and direction of the force P so
that the resultant is a vertical force of 160 N.

PROBLEM 2.5 A stake is being pulled out of the ground by means of two
ropes as shown. Knowing that α = 30°, determine by trigonometry (a) the
magnitude of the force P so that the resultant force exerted on the stake is
vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.

SOLUTION

Using the laws of cosines and sines:

P 2 = (120 N) 2 + (160 N) 2 − 2(120 N)(160 N) cos 25°
P = 72.096 N

sin α sin 25°

And =
120 N 72.096 N
sin α = 0.70343
=α 44.703°
P = 72.1 N 44.7° 
 PROBLEM 2.22

Determine the x and y components of each of the forces shown.

SOLUTION
Compute the following distances:

=OA (600) 2 + (800) 2

= 1000 mm
=OB (560) 2 + (900) 2
= 1060 mm
=
OC (480) 2 + (900) 2
= 1020 mm
800
800-N Force: Fx = +(800 N) Fx = +640 N 
1000
600
Fy = +(800 N) Fy = +480 N 
1000
560
424-N Force: Fx = −(424 N) Fx = −224 N 
1060
900
Fy = −(424 N) Fy = −360 N 
1060
480
408-N Force: Fx = +(408 N) Fx = +192.0 N 
1020
900
Fy = −(408 N) Fy = −360 N 
1020
 PROBLEM 2.34

Determine the resultant of the three forces of Problem 2.22.

PROBLEM 2.22 Determine the x and y components of each of the

forces shown.

SOLUTION
Components of the forces were determined in Problem 2.22:

Force x Comp. (N) y Comp. (N)

800 lb +640 +480
424 lb –224 –360
408 lb +192 –360
Rx = +608 Ry = −240

=
R Rx i + Ry j
= (608 lb)i + (−240 lb) j
Ry
tan a =
Rx
240
=
608
=a 21.541°
240 N
R=
sin(21.541°)
= 653.65 N R = 654 N 21.5° 
 PROBLEM 2.23

Determine the x and y components of each of the forces shown.

SOLUTION

80-N Force: Fx =
+(80 N) cos 40° Fx = 61.3 N 

Fy =
+(80 N)sin 40° Fy = 51.4 N 

120-N Force: Fx =
+(120 N) cos 70° Fx = 41.0 N 

Fy =
+(120 N)sin 70° Fy = 112.8 N 

150-N Force: Fx =
−(150 N) cos35° Fx = −122. 9 N 

Fy =
+(150 N)sin 35° Fy = 86.0 N 
 PROBLEM 2.32

Determine the resultant of the three forces of Problem 2.23.

PROBLEM 2.23 Determine the x and y components of each of the

forces shown.

SOLUTION
Components of the forces were determined in Problem 2.23:

Force x Comp. (N) y Comp. (N)

80 N +61.3 +51.4
120 N +41.0 +112.8
150 N –122.9 +86.0
Rx = −20.6 Ry = + 250.2

=
R Rx i + Ry j
= (−20.6 N)i + (250.2 N) j
Ry
tan a =
Rx
250.2 N
tan a =
20.6 N
tan a = 12.1456
= a 85.293°
250.2 N
R= R = 251 N 85.3° 
sin 85.293°