Vector Problem-Direction and Magnitude

[baseballer10p]

Homework Statement

Determine the magnitude of the resultant force Fr=F1+F2 and its direction measured from the positive u axis.

Homework Equations

Law of Sines?

The Attempt at a Solution

I drew parallel lines and attempted to use the sine law, but I got two different answers.
Here's the equations I used:
Fr/sin100 = 200/sin50
Fr/sin100 = 300/sin30

Using these equations, I got two different answers for Fr, and didn't get any direction.Other than what I tried, I don't know what to do. We weren't taught how to find the magnitude from components or taught how to find direction.

 

[rocomath]

can't see your images, can you link it instead?

 

[baseballer10p]

Yes, sir.

 

[learningphysics]

The problem is that you're assuming F1 + F2 ends up along the u axis... it doesn't.

 

[baseballer10p]

I have to use the angles to figure out which direction the resultant force is pointing after F_1 and F_2 are added, but I don't know how.

 

[learningphysics]

The things you know for sure are the 200, 300 sides... and the 100 degrees angle. You can use those to get the magnitude of F1+F2, and the angles...

Draw a triangle separately from the axes... when you get the angles... then you can draw F1+F2 in correctly...

 

[baseballer10p]

Ok, thank you sir.