A two-side 'A' shaped ladder and then tension in the wire that holds it together

[IAmPat]

Homework Statement

A ladder is made in the shape of the letter A. Treat the two sides of the ladder as identical uniform rods, each weighing 455 N, with a length of 3.60 m. A frictionless hinge connects the two ends at the top, and a horizontal wire, 1.20 m long, connects them at a distance 1.40 m from the hinge, as measured along the sides. The ladder rests on a frictionless floor. What is the tension in the wire?

Homework Equations

\sumFx = 0
\sumFy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution

I honestly don't know where exactly to start on this solution.

I know that the system is in equilibrium, so all the forces should sum to 0. Couldn't I just pretend it was just one ladder leaning against a wall, and then double the tension to get the tension of wire in this double ladder?

Where else can I start on this problem?

 

[eczeno]

hello,

the first thing, if you haven't done it already, would be to draw a figure. once you have that, just consider the forces, and torques, on one of the beams.

hope this helps

 

[IAmPat]

hello,

the first thing, if you haven't done it already, would be to draw a figure. once you have that, just consider the forces, and torques, on one of the beams.

hope this helps

So should I consider just one ladder and double the tension in order to get the tension in the 'A' ladder

 

[eczeno]

consider one ladder, but don't double the tension, it will pull in equal but opposite directions on each ladder.

cheers