Find the tension in the two wires

[kp87]

Homework Statement

Find the tension in the two wires supporting the 36 kg traffic light shown in Fig. 12-57. (Assume that 1 = 52° and 2 = 38°.)

http://img15.imgspot.com/u/07/77/15/952alt.gif

Homework Equations

-T1cos(52)+T2cos(38)=m*g
T1sin(52)+T2sin(38)=0

The Attempt at a Solution

so I found T1=-T2sin(38)/sin(52)
and plugged into the first equation and got
[sin(38)*cos(52)/sin(52)+cos(38)]*T2=353.16
and got T2 = 278N
and T1=217N

but when I put it into the webassign it is wrong...
so what am I doing wrong?

 

[radou]

It would be useful if you presented the figure somehow.

You may want to check your trig, although I can't tell for sure.

 

[denverdoc]

i think the sins and cosines are reversed. The vertical weight mg is opposed by the sines of the respective tensions.

 

[radou]

denverdoc is right. Just "swap" m*g and 0.

 

[kp87]

k thanks a lot got it :)