Assignment#1

MTH304 (Fall 2023)

Total marks: 10
Lecture#1-14
Due date: Nov 23, 2023

Question:
Four co-planar forces of magnitudes KN, 20N, 30N and 10N act at a fixed-point O and are in
equilibrium. The angles that the forces make with +ve x-axis are 60, x, 210 and 330 degrees
respectively. Angle x lies in the second quadrant. Find the values of x and K.

ANSWER:
Let’s consider the angle as θ. Therefore
Magnitude of the forces are KN, 20N, 30N and 10N
F1 = KN
Angle = θ = 600

On x-axis:
F1x = F1 cos600

F1x = KN cos600
1
F1x = KN ( )
2
On y-axis:
F1y = F1 sin 600
√3
F1y = KN ( )
2

Second force
F2 = 20 N
Angle = θ = x

On x-axis:
F2x = F2 cos θ
F2x = 20 N cos x

On y-axis:
F2y = F2 sin θ
F2y = 20 N sin x

Third force
F3 = 30 N
Angle = θ = 210

On x-axis:
F3x = F3 cos θ
F3x = 30 N cos 210
√3
F3x = 30 N (- )
2
F3x = - 15 √ 3 N

On y-axis:
F3y = F3 sin θ
F3y = 30 N sin 210
1
F3y = 30 N (- )
2
F3y = - 15 N

Fourth force:2
F4 = 10 N
Angle = θ = 330

On x-axis:
F4x = F4 cos θ
F4x = 10 N cos 330
√3
F4x = 10 N ( )
2
F4x =5 √ 3 N

On y-axis:
F4y = F4 sin θ
F4y = 10 N sin 330
1
F4y = 10 N (- )
2
F4y = -5 N

As all forces are in equilibrium

∑ Fx = 0
F1x + F2x + F3x + F4x = 0
1
KN ( )+ 20 N cos x - 15 √ 3 N+5 √ 3 N = 0
2
1
KN ( )+ 20 Ncosx – 10 √ 3 N= 0
2
K
N( + 20 cosx - 10 √ 3) = 0
2
K
+ 20 cosx - 10 √ 3 = 0
2
K
20 cos x + = 10 √ 3
2
40 cos x + K = 20 √ 3 ………………………….. (1)
Now, y-axis

∑ Fy = 0
F1y + F2y + F3y + F4y = 0
√3
KN ( ) + 20N sin x – 5N – 15N = 0
2
√3
KN ( ) + 20N sin x – 20N = 0
2
√3 K
N( +20 sinx – 20) = 0
2
√3 K
+20 sinx – 20 = 0
2
√3 K
20sinx + = 20
2
40 sinx + √ 3 K = 40 ………………………(2)

For x, we can solve equation 1 and 2 simultaneously. Let's start with the first equation:
40 cos x + K = 20 √ 3
K = 20 √ 3 - 40 cos x
Now substitute the value of K in equation (2)
40 sinx + √ 3 K = 40
40 sinx + √ 3 (20 √ 3 - 40 cos x )= 40
40 sin x + (20*3) – 40 √ 3 cos x = 40
40 sin x + 60 – 40 √ 3 cos x = 40
40 sin x = 40 √ 3 cos x +40 – 60
40 sin x = 40 √ 3 cos x – 20
Divide both sides by 40
1
Sinx = √ 3 cos x –
2
Take square root on both sides
 1 2
( sinx ¿ ¿2= (√ 3 cos x – ¿¿
2
1 1
sin x = 3cos x - 2(√ 3cos x)( ¿+( )
2 2
2 4
1
1- cos 2 x = 3cos 2 x−¿ (√ 3cos x)+( )
4
+1
1 - cos 2 x – 3 cos 2 x = - √ 3cos x 4
+1
1 - 4cos 2 x = - √ 3cos x 4
+1
- 4cos 2 x = - √ 3cos x 4 – 1
−3
- 4cos 2 x = - √ 3cos x 4
+3
4cos 2 x = √ 3cos x
4
+3
4cos 2 x - √ 3cos x 4 =0

Now, solve this quadratic equation for cos(x). we can use the quadratic formula:

X = −b+ √
(b2 ¿−4 ac)
¿
2a
3
Here x = cos x , a = 4, b= - √ 3, c =
4
There fore

X= −1
cos (
√3+ √( √3 ) −4 ( 4 )
2 3
( 4))
2 (4 )

−1 √ 3+ 3−12
X = cos ( )
8

−1 √ 3−9
X= cos ( )
8
Now, for value of K, let’s consider equation 1 and 2
40 cos x + K = 20 √ 3
10 √ 3−k
Cosx =
40

And
40 sinx + √ 3 K = 40
20−√ 3 K
Sinx =
40
As we know, sin2 x+ cos2 x=1
So,
2 2
20− √ 3 K 10 √ 3−k
( )+( )=1
40 40
After solving squares,
(3 K 2+ 400 – 40√ 3K + (100*3) + K 2- 20√ 3 K)/ 1600 = 1

3 K 2+ 400 – 40√ 3K + (300) + K 2- 20√ 3 K= 1600

4 K 2- 60 √ 3 K + 700 = 1600

4 K 2- 60 √ 3 K = 1600 – 700

4 K 2- 60 √ 3 K = 900

4 K 2- 60 √ 3 K – 900 = 0
b ± √ b 2−4 ac
K=
2a

Here a = 4, b= - 60 √ 3, c = -900
K=( √ 2
60 √3+ ( 60 √3 ) −4 ( 4 ) (−900 )
)
2 (4 )