Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 2-114 Page 1 of 1

Problem 2-114
Determine the angle θ between the two cables.

Solution

Write the position vectors to the points A, B, and C.

rA = h2, −3, 3i m

rB = h0, 3, 0i m

rC = h−2, 3, 4i m

The unit vector in the direction from A to B is

 
rB − rA h−2, 6, −3i 2 6 3
ûAB = =p = − , ,− .
|rB − rA | (−2)2 + (6)2 + (−3)2 7 7 7

The unit vector in the direction from A to C is

 
rC − rA h−4, 6, 1i 4 6 1
ûAC = =p = −√ , √ , √ .
|rC − rA | (−4)2 + (6)2 + (1)2 53 53 53

Take the dot product of these unit vectors to get the angle between them.
   
2 6 3 4 6 1 41
cos θ = ûAB · ûAC = − , , − · −√ , √ , √ = √
7 7 7 53 53 53 7 53
Therefore,  
−1 41
θ = cos √ ≈ 36.4°.
7 53

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