# Calculus Homework Check (vectors/forces)

#### samstim

Homework Statement
Homework Equations
Cosine Law
Sine Law
Forces

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#### haruspex

Homework Helper
Gold Member
2018 Award
In your first line you multiply 50kg/m2 by 9.8N to get 490N.
What are the correct units for g? What do you get if you multiply those units by kg/m2?

In the second line you use trig functions to apportion the load between the two supports. What is your reasoning for that? What answer would you have got if the angle were zero?

In future, please post algebra as typed in text. Images are for diagrams and textbook extracts.

#### samstim

Thank you
So for the first line would I do 50kg/m2 × 9.8 m/s2 = 490 N
For the second line I used horizontal components because my teacher said something about using them to solve the problem. If the angle was zero then the answer would be 490 N for each of the forces but I don't think that correct. Can you please explain the correct way to do question A

Last edited:

#### haruspex

Homework Helper
Gold Member
2018 Award
So for the first line would I do 50kg/m2 × 9.8 m/s2 = 490 N
No, $kg/m^2\times m/s^2=N/m^2$.
What have you left out that has dimension m2?

"Calculus Homework Check (vectors/forces)"

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