What Is the Maximum Weight a Flowerpot Can Be Supported By Two Cables?

[myoplex11]

Homework Statement

Determine the maximum weight of the flowerpot that can be supported without exceeding a cable tension of 50 lb in either cable AB or AC. Note that the 2 cables make an angle 60 and 53.1 respectively with the horizontal

Homework Equations

Fnet=ma

The Attempt at a Solution

Fxnet=TABcos60-TACcos53.1 =0
Fynet-TABsin60+TACsin53.1-W=0
I don't know how to figure out if 50lb is the tension in cable AB or in AC

 

[myoplex11]

i worked out the problem by trial and error and found out that the more vertical cable has the tension of 50 why is this so?

 

[PhanthomJay]

i worked out the problem by trial and error and found out that the more vertical cable has the tension of 50 why is this so?

You have determined that the x components of the 2 tensions must be equal. A little trig will tell you why the cable with the greater angle from the horizontal must have a greater tension than the cable with the smaller angle, and thus, must fail first.