Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 2-67 Page 1 of 2

Problem 2-67
Determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of F3 so that the resultant of the three
forces acts along the positive y axis and has a magnitude of 600 lb.

Solution

Write each of the forces in component form.

F1 = 180 h−1, 0, 0i lb

F2 = 300 hcos 30° sin 40°, cos 30° cos 40°, − sin 30°i lb

F3 = F3 hcos α3 , cos β3 , cos γ3 i lb

FR = 600h0, 1, 0i lb
Add them together to get the resultant force.
FR = F1 + F2 + F3

h0, 600, 0i lb = h−180 + 300 cos 30° sin 40° + F3 cos α3 , 300 cos 30° cos 40° + F3 cos β3 , −300 sin 30° + F3 cos γ3 i lb
Match the components to obtain a system of equations.
0 = −180 + 300 cos 30° sin 40° + F3 cos α3

600 = 300 cos 30° cos 40° + F3 cos β3

0 = −300 sin 30° + F3 cos γ3

Solve for the terms with F3 .
F3 cos α3 = 180 − 300 cos 30° sin 40° (1)

F3 cos β3 = 600 − 300 cos 30° cos 40° (2)

F3 cos γ3 = 300 sin 30° (3)

www.stemjock.com
Hibbeler Statics 14e: Problem 2-67 Page 2 of 2

Square both sides of each equation and add the respective sides together to get F3 .

F32 (cos2 α3 + cos2 β3 + cos2 γ3 ) = (180 − 300 cos 30° sin 40°)2 + (600 − 300 cos 30° cos 40°)2 + (300 sin 30°)2

F32 (1) = (180 − 300 cos 30° sin 40°)2 + (600 − 300 cos 30° cos 40°)2 + (300 sin 30°)
p
F3 = (180 − 300 cos 30° sin 40°)2 + (600 − 300 cos 30° cos 40°)2 + (300 sin 30°)

F3 ≈ 428 lb

Plug this into equations (1), (2), and (3) to determine α3 , β3 , and γ3 .

180 − 300 cos 30° sin 40°



 cos α3 =
F3
 
α3 ≈ 88.3°



 

 
 600 − 300 cos 30° cos 40° 
cos β3 = → β3 ≈ 20.6°

 F3 


 
 γ ≈ 69.5°

 300 sin 30° 3
 cos γ3 =


F3

www.stemjock.com