and vertical forces acting downward will be taken as negative.

The sign convention is

indicated in the figure.

Figure 2.12 Rectangular components of a force.

If the vector F is projected upon the X and Y axes as shown, the rectangular components
Fx and Fy are formed and can then be determined. Note that the components form a
concurrent force system.
Since triangle OAB is a right triangle, the relationship between the components and the
force F can be determined by the sine and cosine functions of the angle .
Since and ,

which can be rewritten as

(2.3)
 (2.4)

There are some cautions to note. The choice of the orientation of the X and Y axes is
arbitrary. Any orientation may be chosen, not necessarily vertical and horizontal
(although this is usually the most convenient). Also, Equations (2.3) and (2.4) are
appropriate for the situation of Figure 2.12 where the direction of the force is referenced
to the X axis. The equations will change if the direction is referenced to the Y axis.

Example 2.3
Compute the rectangular components (vertical and horizontal) for the 400-lb force
shown in Figure 2.13.
Figure 2.13 Rectangular components of a force.
Solution
The force (labeled F) is shown acting through the origin of X–Y coordinate axes. Its
inclination with the horizontal X axis is 40°. Note that the diagram does not have to be
drawn to scale; to the extent possible, however, the various parts should be drawn in
proportion to each other.
Projecting force P upon the X and Y axes reveals that the sign of Py is positive (acting
upward) and that the sign of Px is negative (acting to the left). Therefore, assign a
negative sign to the Px component. Using Equations (2.3) and (2.4),
Solution
The X–Y coordinate axes are sketched with the X axis parallel to the incline and the Y
axis perpendicular to the incline. The 50-lb force is shown acting through the origin.
Note that since the force W represents the weight of the body, it is a gravity force and
acts vertically downward.
Projecting the force W upon the X and Y axes reveals that the signs of both
components are negative. Wx acts to the left and Wy acts downward. Use Equations
(2.3) and (2.4):

Directions of forces have, so far, been defined with an angle between the force and a
reference line. In Figure 2.16a, note that the direction of the force is defined with a
slope triangle, a right triangle having its hypotenuse coincident with the force P. For
clarity, the slope triangle is shown in Figure 2.16b. This slope triangle has a vertical
leg of 1 and a horizontal leg of 2. This is sometimes referred to as a 1:2 slope (one
vertical unit on two horizontal units). The direction

of the force could be described equally well with a slope angle between the force
P and a horizontal line
Figure 2.16 Rectangular components of a force.