- #1
masterflex
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- 0
minus sign in "forces in space" problem.
see picture for problem.
please see a picture (one is of problem, the other contains the relevant formula).
I was able to solve the whole thing, then looked at the solution, and saw that I missed a minus sign (which changed some, but not all of my solutions). I just don't understand why that minus sign (denoted by red arrow) is necessary (besides giving you the right answer). Generally, how do you think through it to know you need one there? Thanks for you help.
Homework Statement
see picture for problem.
Homework Equations
please see a picture (one is of problem, the other contains the relevant formula).
The Attempt at a Solution
I was able to solve the whole thing, then looked at the solution, and saw that I missed a minus sign (which changed some, but not all of my solutions). I just don't understand why that minus sign (denoted by red arrow) is necessary (besides giving you the right answer). Generally, how do you think through it to know you need one there? Thanks for you help.