Tackling a Physics Problem: My Attempt

[Matt1234]

Homework Statement

The problem and my attempt are given

Originally i put this in the upper level physics section, i made a mistake, it should go here.

[PLAIN]http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5495/lasts02can.jpg

 

[rl.bhat]

The direction of the resultant is given by

tan75 = ( F3 + F2sinθ )/(F1 - F2cosθ)

F1tan75 - F2cosθtan75 = F3 + F2sinθ

Find F2. The condition for minimum F2 cab be found by finding d(F2)/dθ and equating it to zero. You will get the value of θ.

 

[Matt1234]

So my diagram was completley off. Was there a way to achieve the solution using my method?

 

[rl.bhat]

So my diagram was completley off. Was there a way to achieve the solution using my method?

Draw all the vectors at the point of action.