Two tugboats are pulling a disabled speedboat into port with forces of 1240 lb and 1480 lb. The angle between these forces is 28.2°. Find the direction and magnitude of the equilibrant.
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- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
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- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
8. Vectors
Geometric Vectors
Problem 35
Textbook Question
A force of 176 lb makes an angle of 78° 50′ with a second force. The resultant of the two forces makes an angle of 41° 10′ with the first force. Find the magnitudes of the second force and of the resultant.
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Verified step by step guidance1
Convert all given angles from degrees and minutes to decimal degrees for easier calculation. For example, 78° 50′ becomes 78 + 50/60 degrees, and similarly for 41° 10′.
Label the forces: let the first force be \( F_1 = 176 \) lb, the second force be \( F_2 \), and the resultant force be \( R \). The angle between \( F_1 \) and \( F_2 \) is \( \theta = 78.8333^\circ \) (converted from 78° 50′), and the angle between \( F_1 \) and \( R \) is \( \alpha = 41.1667^\circ \) (converted from 41° 10′).
Use the Law of Cosines to express the magnitude of the resultant force \( R \) in terms of \( F_1 \), \( F_2 \), and \( \theta \):
\[
R^2 = F_1^2 + F_2^2 + 2 F_1 F_2 \cos(\theta)
\]
Use the Law of Sines or the formula for the angle between two vectors to relate the given angle \( \alpha \) to the forces. Specifically, use the formula for the tangent of the angle between \( F_1 \) and \( R \):
\[
\tan(\alpha) = \frac{F_2 \sin(\theta)}{F_1 + F_2 \cos(\theta)}
\]
This equation allows you to solve for \( F_2 \).
Solve the equation from step 4 for \( F_2 \), then substitute \( F_2 \) back into the Law of Cosines equation from step 3 to find the magnitude of the resultant force \( R \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Vector Addition of Forces
When two forces act at an angle, their combined effect is found by vector addition. The resultant force is the vector sum of the individual forces, and its magnitude and direction depend on both the magnitudes and the angle between the forces.
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Adding Vectors Geometrically
Law of Cosines
The Law of Cosines relates the lengths of sides of a triangle to the cosine of one of its angles. It is used to find the magnitude of the resultant force when two forces and the angle between them are known, or to find an unknown force when the resultant and angles are given.
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Intro to Law of Cosines
Law of Sines
The Law of Sines relates the ratios of the lengths of sides of a triangle to the sines of their opposite angles. It helps determine unknown angles or side lengths in the force triangle, especially when the resultant's angle relative to one force is given.
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Intro to Law of Sines
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