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seboastien
Aug15-11, 05:32 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A heavy weight is suspended by a cable and pulled to one side by a force F. How much force is required to hold the weight in equilibrium at a given distance x to one side. Tcosθ=W and Tsinθ=F. Find F/W as a power series of θ. Often in a problem like this, what we know is not θ, but x and l. Find F/W as a series of powers in x/l.

l is the length if the cable
W is weight
T is the tension in the cable


2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

no idea...

HallsofIvy
Aug15-11, 07:39 AM
The first obvious thing to do is to see that F/W= (T sin(θ))/(Tcos(θ))= tan(θ).

Can you expand that as a power series- say, a Taylor series?