How to Calculate Tension in Wires of Different Lengths?

[TerryC]

I initially posted this in advanced it probably however belongs here. Apologies.


Tension Vector Problem.
1. Homework Statement

Howdy all I have the following tension vector problem that I am struggling with:

"You hang a pot plant with a mass of 8kg from two lengths of wire attached to a horizontal beam 100cm apart. The wire on the left has a length of 50cm, the wire on the right has a length of 75cm. Find the tension in both wires."

There was no diagram for the problem.


2. Homework Equations



3. The Attempt at a Solution

I have not got very far with this as I have not solved a problem like this before where no angles are given in the initial question, I started by sketching out an 80N force in the up and down direction, and I assume I either need to separate the x and y components for each string and/or use the parallelogram method. I am sure I am missing a basic step at that start that is not allowing me to solve this problem.

I am happy if just the steps are stated rather than the actuall maths as I would very much like to learn the steps for this type of problem as opposed to just having the answer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SteamKing]

Well, you know the lengths of three sides of a triangle, since you are given the distance between anchor points for the lines suspending the pot (100 cm) and the lengths of the two lines themselves (50 cm left, 75 cm right). If you use that old triggernometry, you can determine the interior angles of the triangle. Applying the weight of the pot at the common point where the wires meet, tensions will follow.

 

[TerryC]

Well, you know the lengths of three sides of a triangle, since you are given the distance between anchor points for the lines suspending the pot (100 cm) and the lengths of the two lines themselves (50 cm left, 75 cm right). If you use that old triggernometry, you can determine the interior angles of the triangle. Applying the weight of the pot at the common point where the wires meet, tensions will follow.

Thanks :) I figured it would be something along those lines I am returning to study after a very long time so I seem to be forgetting a lot of basic steps at the moment.