Tension of Two Ropes on an Object

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The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in two ropes supporting a 1400kg steel beam, with Rope 1 at a 20-degree angle and Rope 2 at a 30-degree angle from the vertical. The user initially set up the equations incorrectly, leading to nonsensical results for the tensions. The correct system of equations to solve for the tensions is T1cos(20) + T2cos(30) = 13720 and T1sin(20) - T2sin(30) = 0. The user received assistance from another participant, ehild, which clarified the correct approach to solving the problem.

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1. A 1400kg steel beam is supported by two ropes. Find the tension of each rope.
Rope 1 is 20 degrees from the vertical axis and Rope 2 is 30 degrees from the vertical axis.
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2. I am getting lost trying to find the vector components of each rope. More specifically, I am having trouble solving the system of equations as I can't remember the last time I've done this.

Here's my set-up:
T1cos(20) + T2cos(30) = 13720
T1sin(20) + T2sin(30) = 0

When I solve the system of equations I get T1=39505 and T2=-27023. These do not seem to be the correct answers according to MasteringPhysics, and if I'm not mistaken they don't make sense either.

 
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The horizontal components of the tensions are opposite.

T1sin(20) - T2sin(30) = 0

ehild
 
Thank you ehild, that did it.
 

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