ADDITION OF VECTORS Example 1 (SP 2.

1)
C
TRIANGLE RULE FOR VECTOR ADDITION
The two forces P and Q act on
TRIGONOMETRIC SOLUTION.
bolt A. Determine their resultant.
R
Q = 60 N Q = 60 N
𝑜
155
  𝑜
25
 
 
B
4  5 𝑜 𝑜 P = 40 N
25
 
𝑜
P = 40 N 𝛼  20
 

20 𝑜 A
 
A Two sides and the included angle are known.
We apply the law of cosines.
2 2 2
𝑅
  = 𝑃 + 𝑄 −2 𝑃𝑄 cos 𝐵
2 2 2 𝑜
𝑅
  =( 40 𝑁 ) + ( 60 𝑁 ) − 2 ( 40 𝑁 ) ( 60 𝑁 ) cos 155
𝑅=97.73
  𝑁
Now, applying the law of sines, we write
𝑜
 𝐴=15.04
𝑜
sin
  𝐴 = sin 𝐵 sin
  𝐴 = sin 155
𝑜
 sin 𝐴= ( 60 𝑁 ) sin 155
𝑜
𝑄 𝑅 60 𝑁 97.73 𝑁 97.73 𝑁 𝛼
  = 𝐴+ 20
𝑜
𝛼
  =35.04