Hi,

Has anyone figured out how to do this problem yet? If you do, please help...

Thanks,
Ann

1/18/2006 7:13:38 PM

post the problem so those not in the class can help

1/18/2006 7:23:24 PM

good suggestion brianj320
Here is the problem:
Determine the magnitude of force F so that the resultant F(R) of the three forces is as small as possible. The picture for the problem is in my gallery. Thanks

1/18/2006 7:39:02 PM

resolve the forces into x and y components. do a sum of forces in x direction = 0 and same for y direction. once u get Fx and Fy, find F by saying F= sqrt(Fx^2+Fy^2)

1/18/2006 9:06:46 PM

ann baby,

you got this

come on

1/18/2006 9:11:52 PM

Thanks brianj320, but that's how I first approach the problem, it didn't get the right answer, that's why I posted it on thewolfweb. I guess I am just going to ask him in class tomorrow.

1/18/2006 10:42:46 PM

It's an optimization problem. Once you have the magnitude of the resultant force |Fr| as a function of F, take the derivative and set it to 0 to find the minimum.

1/18/2006 11:26:44 PM

thanks

1/19/2006 12:18:18 AM

yay!

[Edited on January 19, 2006 at 2:18 AM. Reason : .]

1/19/2006 2:18:11 AM