Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 3-38 Page 1 of 2

Problem 3-38
Determine the forces in cables AC and AB needed to hold the 20-kg ball D in equilibrium. Take
F = 300 N and d = 1 m.

Solution

Draw free-body diagrams for ring A and the ball. Let φ and θ be the angles that FAC and FAB
make with the horizontal, respectively.

In order for the system to be in equilibrium, the sum of the forces in each direction must be zero.
X
Fx = 0 : F − FAB cos θ − FAC cos φ = 0 0=0
X
Fy = 0 : FAB sin θ + FAC sin φ − T = 0 T − mg = 0

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Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 3-38 Page 2 of 2

Use the Pythagorean theorem to find each triangle’s hypotenuse.

As a result,
2 d 2 d + 1.5
cos φ = √ and sin φ = √ and cos θ = p and sin θ = p ,
d2 + 22 d2+ 22 (d + 1.5)2 + 22 (d + 1.5)2 + 22

and the two middle equations become

2 2
F − FAB p − FAC √ =0
2
(d + 1.5) + 2 2 d + 22
2

d + 1.5 d
FAB p + FAC √ − mg = 0.
2
(d + 1.5) + 2 2 d + 22
2

Set d = 1 m, F = 300 N, m = 20 kg, and g = 9.81 m/s2 and solve for FAB and FAC .

FAB ≈ 98.6 N

FAC ≈ 267 N

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