Question

a sled is being pulled across a floor by two ropes such that the angle between them is 60 degrees. If the forces on the ropes are 100 pounds and 80 pounds. What is the resultant of the forces.

Answer 1

156

Explanation:

Answer 2

58 lb

Explanation:

We can draw a vector triangle with the 100 lb force vector starting at the tip of the 80 lb vector. Then the resultant force vector C will be the third side of the

triangle, and the angle opposite this third side will be 180 - 60 = 120 degrees.

Then using the Cosine rule

C^2 = 80^2 + 100^2 - 2*80*100*cos(120)

= 3373. 1045

C^2 = 3373.1045

C = 58 lb

The resultant force = 58 lb