Tension Problem x and y components?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a man of mass 70.0 kg hanging from two cables inclined at 60.0 degrees to the horizontal, with a horizontal pulling force of 250 N applied. The objective is to find the magnitudes of the tensions in the two cables while ensuring the man remains stationary.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up equations based on the x and y components of forces, noting the weight of the man and the applied force. There are attempts to express one tension in terms of the other and to solve the resulting system of equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on evaluating trigonometric functions and rewriting equations to isolate variables. However, there remains uncertainty among others about how to express the tensions in terms of one another and proceed with solving the equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of a visual aid and express difficulty in understanding the relationships between the variables involved. There is also mention of the weight being treated as negative in one participant's reasoning.

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Tension Problem x and y components??

Homework Statement



A man of mass 70.0 kg hangs by 2 cables A and B each inclined at 60.0 degrees to the horizontal.

A horizontal pulling force F is applied to the man pulling to the right. The man remains stationary. If F has magnitude 250 N, find the magnitudes of the tension in the 2 cables.


Homework Equations



F=w=mg
A+B+F+W=0



The Attempt at a Solution



(70 kg)(9.8)=686 N
the downward W force is 686 N

x-component
Ax+Bx+F=0
Acos120+Bcos60+250=0

y-component
Ay+By+W=0
Asin120+Bsin60+686=0

I know there is a system of equations here and that i can use substitution or trigonometric triangles but I am not sure how to approach either of these methods. Any help would be great. Sorry i don't have a picture, i hope it makes sense.
 
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Acos120+Bcos60+250=0
Asin120+Bsin60+686=0

Evaluate the cos and sin terms, and one has two equations and two unknowns, which one should be able to solve.
 
hmm sorry it still doesn't make sense to me I am not sure how to put B in terms of A or A in terms of B and then after i find these numbers how to go about finding the tensions of the cables.
 
First of all the weight is negative (sin270, right?)

Now turn all those sins and cos's into decimals, and rewrite the first equation so that it reads " A = blablablah + B(blah)"

then substitute that for the "A" in the second equation.
 

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