Vector Addition - Find Angle of Resultant Force

[razored]

[SOLVED] Vector Addition

Homework Statement

Find the angle between two vector forces of equal magnitude, such that the resultant is one-third as much as either of the original forces.

Homework Equations

Pythagorean Theorom, I assume

The Attempt at a Solution

This is from Schaum's 3000 Problems in physics, page 7, # 1.35... I don't understand their explanantion thus I don't understand where to begin. Can someone give me a lead?

The answer is 160.8 degrees by the way...

 

[Kaleb]

First off, let's state the Pythagorean Theorem as a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Cool.

Next since we are using that equation we know that the answer involved has a right angle it it somewhere.

Draw a picture of a right triangle then make it into a rectangle. Draw a line from corner to corner and going threw the other side(the size where the first right angle was)
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3530/pythaghelpvw8.png

Then play around with the numbers and angles and see if you can come up with the same answer. I hope this helps you out a little bit! Although I am not exactly sure on how to solve it myself.

 

[razored]

I don't have a program that can do any of that stuff?(like the diagram you just did)

 

[Kaleb]

Dont you have pen and paper? I did that on my paper before I made it with photoshop

 

[razored]

I've figured it out :D Thanks. I simply formed a parallelogram and was able to get the answer.

 

[Kaleb]

No prob, Glad you got it!