Force of a parachute on parachutist

[testme]

Homework Statement

A parachutist of mass 65 kg jumps out of a plane deploys a chute.
When the chute opens, she slows down from 80km/h to 10km/h in 0.8s. What is the foce of the chute on her shoulders at that time?

m = 65 kg
v1 = 80km/h → 22 m/s
v2 = 10 km/h → 2.8 m/s
change in time = 0.8 s

Homework Equations

a = v/t
Fnet = ma

The Attempt at a Solution

We're assuming that up is positive.
I used to sig figs for all my values.

First we need to find the acceleration

a = v/t
a = (2.8 - 22)/0.8
a = -24 m/s^2

Let Fp = force of the parachute

Fnet = ma
Fg + Fp = ma
-640 + Fp = (65)(-24)
-640 + Fp = -1560
Fp = -1560 + 640
Fp = -920 N

I'm confused as to what I'm doing wrong. My teacher told us the answer should be about 2200 N and that would be positive while my answer is turning out completely off and negative.

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A parachutist of mass 65 kg jumps out of a plane deploys a chute.
When the chute opens, she slows down from 80km/h to 10km/h in 0.8s. What is the foce of the chute on her shoulders at that time?

m = 65 kg
v1 = 80km/h → 22 m/s
v2 = 10 km/h → 2.8 m/s
change in time = 0.8 s

Homework Equations

a = v/t
Fnet = ma

The Attempt at a Solution

We're assuming that up is positive.
I used to sig figs for all my values.

First we need to find the acceleration

a = v/t
a = (2.8 - 22)/0.8
a = -24 m/s^2

by using positive values for v, you have assumed down is positive and up is negative

Let Fp = force of the parachute

Fnet = ma
Fg + Fp = ma
-640 + Fp = (65)(-24)
-640 + Fp = -1560
Fp = -1560 + 640
Fp = -920 N

since the acceleration is up, the net force must be up; thus, Fp > Fg. Correct your plus and minus signs.

I'm confused as to what I'm doing wrong. My teacher told us the answer should be about 2200 N and that would be positive while my answer is turning out completely off and negative.

Net force is always in the direction of the acceleration.

 

[testme]

Okay, so then I changed the velocity values to negatives. That in turn made the acceleration a positive and then following through with

Fnet = ma
Fg + Fp = ma
-640 + Fp = (65)(24)
Fp = 2200 N

Thanks :)