Triangle Law for Addition

of Vectors
MEC101
Prepared by: Meryl Mae C. Rodriguez
Main ref: Engineering Mechanics: Statics
By Kiusalaas, J. & Pytel, A.
 The Parallelogram and Triangle Law for Addition of Vectors
Parallelogram Law B

Triangle Law

A
 Subtraction of Two Vectors
B

A – B = A + (-B)

-B
 Sine and Cosine Law

Sine Law: γ
a b
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛾 β α
c

Cosine Law:
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bccosα
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2accosβ
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2abcosγ
 Sample Problem 1

Figure below shows two force vectors of magnitudes A = 60 N and B =

100N. (A vector is drawn between two points in space.) Determine the
resultant R = A + B analytically using the triangle law.
B

30° 70°
 Sample Problem 2

The screw eye in the figure below is subjected to two forces F1 and F2 .
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
 Sample Problem 3

The two tugboats apply the forces P and Q to the barge,

where P = 76 kN and Q = 52 kN. Determine the resultant P
and Q.
16 m

32 m P

Q 6m

24 m
 Sample Problem 4
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and its direction
measured counterclockwise from the positive x- axis.

Ans. 111.5 lb, 202.45°