Statics Question: Finding resultant force and orientation

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 8K views
Chandasouk
Messages
163
Reaction score
0
Hibbler.ch2.p1.jpg


Determine the magnitude of the resultant force FR. Assume that F1 = 230 and F2 = 395
Express your answer to three significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Determine the direction of the resultant force FR , measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.


I got the magnitude as 402lb which is correct, but I am having trouble finding the direction of the force.

I have the following work below

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1954/resultantforce.png

So I get [itex]\phi[/itex]=71.6 degrees

Now the first quadrant has an angle from F1 to the x-axis that measures at 60 degrees. What I did was 71.6-60 degrees = 11.6 degrees and said that was the angle of the resultant force, but this answer is wrong.

Can anyone explain how to find the angle? Should I be subtracting 360 from 11.6 degrees instead since it wants the position counterclockwise?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org