How Do Lifeguards' Forces Affect Raft Movement?

[anglum]

Two lifeguards pull on ropes attached to a raft. If they pull in teh same direction, the raft experiences a net external force of 357 N to the right. If they pull in opposite directions the raft experiences a net external force of 127N to the left.

A what is the magnitude of the larger of the two forces?

B what is the magnitude of the smaller of the two forces?

answer in units of N

I tried doing F1=F2 = 357 and F1-F2 = -127

and solved for F1 and F2

F1= 115
F2 = 242

however those answers were incorrect... please help

 

[Astronuc]

What is one checking against - book or on-line?

 

[learningphysics]

Seems correct to me. Did you enter the answers with 242N as the larger and 115N as the smaller?

 

[anglum]

yeah they were correct I am dumb and entered them in for the wrong assignment GRRRR

 

[Astronuc]

Seems correct to me. Did you enter the answers with 242N as the larger and 115N as the smaller?

I was wondering about the order of the answers. One has to be careful with online tools.