Help with solving two unknowns simultaneously? (physics)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a mountain climber suspended between two cliffs by a rope, requiring the calculation of tensions in the rope on either side of the climber. The climber's weight is given, along with the angles of the rope with respect to the vertical.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the tensions in the rope using equilibrium equations but encounters difficulty in solving for one of the tensions. Some participants clarify the known variables and suggest factoring and rearranging equations to isolate the unknowns.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing hints and clarifications. There is a progression towards understanding how to manipulate the equations, with some participants expressing realization after receiving guidance.

Contextual Notes

The problem setup includes specific angles and the climber's weight, which are essential for solving the equations. The original poster is working within the constraints of the problem without additional context or figures beyond what is provided in the thread.

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A mountain climber, in the process of crossing between two cliffs by a rope, pauses to rest. She weighs 566 N. As the drawing shows, she is closer to the left cliff than to the right cliff, with the result that the tensions in the left and right sides of the rope are not the same. Find the tensions in the rope to the left and to the right of the mountain climber. (From the figure α = 65.5° and β = 83.0°.)
Equations:
EFx= 0 since she is at equilibrium
EFy= 0 since she is at equilibrium

I got up to the part where
EFx= Tr Sin 83 -TL Sin 65.5 = 0 and I get Tr = TL Sin 65.5/ Sin 83
EFy = Tr cos 83 + TL cos 65.5 - W = 0

now when you put the two together we get

( TL sin 65.5/ sin 83 ) cos 83 + TL cos 65.5 - w = 0

this is the part where I'm stuck. I don't how they solved for the TL and w together. Do you? Thanks a lot!
 
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You know w - it is 566.
The angles are with respect to the vertical, right?
 
Factor TL out of the two terms, move w to the other side and put in its number. Divide both sides by whatever TL is multiplied by.
 
OH! I see now... Thank you very much!
 
I got
TL = 1075 N
TR= 985.6

in case anyone also needs help with this.
 
Most welcome!
 

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