Example 3.

2
Determine the resultant R of the two-force coplanar system of Figure 3.5. Compute its
magnitude, sense, and angle of inclination with the horizontal X axis.
Figure 3.5 Two-force concurrent force system.
Solution
Use the method of components. The X–Y coordinate axes with forces F1 and F2 are
shown in Figure 3.5. Positive directions are upward and to the right.
1. The X component Rx of the resultant force is equal to the algebraic summation
of the X components of F1 and F2:

The positive sign (and the arrow) indicates that the sum of the force
components acts to the right.
2. The Y component Ry of the resultant force is equal to the algebraic summation
of the Y components of F1 and F2:

1. The positive sign (and the arrow) indicates that the sum of the force components
acts upward.
2. The results obtained in steps 1 and 2 are shown in Figure 3.6. Knowing Rx and
Ry , the parallelogram (actually a rectangle) OCBA is sketched along with the
resultant shown as diagonal R. Using triangle OAB (in which ),
 Figure 3.6 Parallelogram of forces.

The sense of the resultant is upward and to the right.

3. Using triangle OAB, compute the angle of inclination

Solution
Force components upward and to the right are considered positive. Use the following
steps:

1. Calculate the X component of the resultant:

2. Calculate the Y component of the resultant:

3. The results of steps 1 and 2 represent the X and Y components of the resultant
force and are shown in Figure 3.8. Parallelogram OABC is drawn, with diagonal
R indicating the resultant. Using triangle OAB (where by construction),
 Figure 3.8 Parallelogram of forces.
4. Again using triangle OAB compute the angle of inclination of the resultant with
the X axis: