Problem 2.

133
y
A
56 ft
D

B
20o

50o
z

Cable AB is 65 ft long, and

the tension in that cable is
3900 lb. Determine (a) the
x, y, and z components of
the force exerted by the
cable on the anchor B, (b)
the angles x, y, and z
defining the direction of
that force.

Problem 2.133

Solving Problems on Your Own

A
56 ft
D

B
20o

50o
z

Cable AB is 65 ft long, and

the tension in that cable is
3900 lb. Determine (a) the
x, y, and z components of
the force exerted by the
cable on the anchor B, (b)
the angles x, y, and z
defining the direction of
that force.

1. Determine the rectangular components of a force defined by

its magnitude and direction. If the direction of the force F is
defined by the angles y and , projections of F through these
angles or their components will yield the components of F.

Problem 2.133

Solving Problems on Your Own

A
56 ft
D

B
20o

50o
z

Cable AB is 65 ft long, and

the tension in that cable is
3900 lb. Determine (a) the
x, y, and z components of
the force exerted by the
cable on the anchor B, (b)
the angles x, y, and z
defining the direction of
that force.

2. Determine the direction cosines of the line of action of a force.

The direction cosines of the line of action of a force F are
determined by dividing the components of the force by F.
Fx
Fy
Fz
cos x= F
cos y= F
cos z= F

Problem 2.133 Solution

y
65 ft

y
56 ft

Determine the direction cosines of

the line of action of a force.

Fy

From triangle AOB:

cos y = 56 ft = 0.86154
65 ft

y = 30.51o

Fx
B

O
20o Fz

(a) Fx = _ F sin y cos 20o

= _ (3900 lb) sin 30.51o cos 20o

Fx = _1861 lb

z
x

Fy = + F cos y = (3900 lb)(0.86154)

Fy = + 3360 lb

Fz = + (3900 lb) sin 30.51o sin 20o

Fz = + 677 lb

Problem 2.133 Solution

65 ft

y
56 ft

Determine the direction cosines

of the line of action of a force.

Fy
Fx
B

_
Fx
1861 lb
(b) cos x =
=
F
3900 lb
cos x = _ 0.4771

x = 118.5o

20o Fz
From above (a):

y = 30.5o

Fz
cos z =
F

677 lb
= +
= + 0.1736
3900 lb

z = 80.0o