# A violation of the sine rule?

Gold Member

## Homework Statement

If magnitudes of vector a,b and c are 1,2,3 respectively and vectors a+b+c=0 then it is obvious that a and b will be in the opposite direction to c therefore cancelling it out but let's assume for a moment that we don't know this and we want to figure this out using the sine rule- then x/3 = y/2 = z/1 where z is the angle between b and c (opposite to a), x is the angle between a and b; and so on, also x+y+z=2pi from the figure (like three forces in equilibrium)-solving gives x equal to sixty degrees which is incorrect.

Is the sine rule obeyed only when the vectors form a triangle then?

## Homework Equations

All relevant mentioned above

## The Attempt at a Solution

Stated above

#### Attachments

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Mentor
then x/3 = y/2 = z/1
You forgot to take the sine of the angles.

SammyS
Gold Member
oh god, this is what happens when I study math all day. Thank you very much for your patience and help

Mentor
I know the feeling!

Krushnaraj Pandya