Resolution of Vector

N = +Y

S(-x, y) A(x, y)

W = -x E = +x

T(-x, -y) C(x, -y)

S = -y
Note: The direction will just be represented at the angle from any two of the fixed axes
which the vector is enclosed.

Resolution of Vectors
- Graphical Method

- Rules in determining the magnitude and directions of “R”

1. Construct an accurate Cartesian plane.

2. Plot the first force using a given scale.
3. At the end of the first force construct another accurate C.P. and make sure that it
is parallel to the first C.P.
4. Plot the second force using the new Cartesian Plane and so on so forth.
5. Using an arrow, connect the tail of the first force to the head of the last force and
label it “R” for resultant
6. To determine the magnitude of R, simply measure the length of R using the given
scale.
7. To determine the direction of R, simply measure the angle with respect with the Y
- axis.

Resultant Vectors
- It is a vector whose effect is the same as all the component vectors put
together.

Case I: Two or more forces acting on an object in the same direction

Ex. Given F1 = 10N due E

F2 = 20 N due E

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Scale 10N = 1 cm
R = 3cm due E
F1 = 10N/10 = 1cm R = 30N, due E
F2 = 20 N/10 = 2cm

Case II: Two or more forces acting on an object on opposite directions

F1 = 40N due E
F2 = 60N due W Scale: 20N = 1cm
F1 = 40N/20N = 2cm
F2 = 60N/20N = 3cm
R = 1cm, due W
R = 20N, due W

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Case III: Two forces acting on an object perpendicular to each other.

F1 = 30N due E
F2 = 40N due S

Scale: 10N = 1cm

F1 = 30N/10N = 3cm
F2 = 40N/10N = 4cm
R = 5cm, S37oE
R = 50N S 37 ° E

Case IV: Two or more forces acting on an object at random directions.

F1 = 40N due E
F2 = 40N due E
F3 = 40N NE

Scale: 20N = 1cm

F1 = 40N/20N = 2cm
F2 = 40N/20N = 2cm
F3 = 40N/20N = 2cm
R = 5.8cm, N76oE
R = 116N N 76 ° E

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Ex.
F1 = 50N 50o E of S = 50N, S50E
F2 = 50N 30o W of N=50N, N30W

Scale: 20N = 1cm

F1 = 50N/20N = 2.5cm
F2 = 50N/20N = 2.5cm
R = 0.95cm, N48oE
R = 19N, N 48 ° E

ANALYTICAL METHODS

Case I: Just add and follow the direction of the forces.

F1 = 10 N due E
F2 = 30 N due E
R = 40 N due E

Case II: You just subtract and follow the directions of greater value.

F1 = 40N due E
F2 = 60N due W
R = 20N due W

Case III: Use Pythagorean Theorem and tangent.

R=√ F 2x + F 2y

θ=tan
( )
−1 F x
Fy
Example:
F1 = 30N due E
F2 = 40N due S

R=√ 30 2+ 402=50 N

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θ=tan
−1
( ) Fx
Fy
=tan
−1 30
40 ( )
=S 36.87 E

= 36.87 E of S
Case IV: Construct a Cartesian plane without a need of a scale, plot the given vectors in
the Cartesian plane and use component method or sine and cosine law.

Ex.1: sine and cosine law

F1 = 50N 50oE of S
F2 = 50N 30o W of N
2 2 2
a =b +c −2( b)(c)cos θ
sin A sin B sin C
= =
a b c

50N
50 20 30
50N
40
R=√ 50 +50 −2(50)(50)cos 20
2 2

= 17.36 N

sin β sin 20
=
50 17.36 β=80.09

β=sin−1 ( 50 sin 20
17.36 ) ∅ =180−( 80.09+50 )

∅ =N 49.91 ° E Component Method

Forces Direction
50N S50E 50Sin50 =
50N N30W 50Sin30 =

Solution:

R=√ 13.30 2+11.16 2=17.36 N

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 θ=tan−1 ( 11.16
13.3
)=N 50 ° EInclined Axis
F1 = 50#,1:2 in Q4
F2 = 100#, 3:1 in Q1 y : x = rise is to run
F3 = 155#, 3:2 in Q2

x
y
100#

3
50
1 #
155#
2
2 1
3

Forces # Fx Fy

( √25 )=+ 44.7 ( −1

√5 )
50
50 50 =−22.36

( √110 )=+ 31.67 ( √310 )=+ 94.87

100
100 100

( √−213 )=−85.97 ( √313 )=+ 128.97

155
155 155

-9.63 +201.48
R=√ 9.63 + 201.48 =201.71 ¿
2 2

θ=tan−1 (9.63
201.48 )
=N 2.74 ° W

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Name: Score:

Course/Year & Section:

Assignment no.: 4
Solve the following by graphical solution and component method.
A.1. F1 = 89N, 73o W of N
F2 = 77N, N 40o E

Analytical

Forces Direction Fx Fy

R=

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 2. F1 = 157# 46 E of S
F2 = 175# 56 E of N

Analytical

Forces Direction Fx Fy

R=

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 3. F1 = 155, N 68o E
F2 = 196N, N 72 W

Analytical

Forces Direction Fx Fy

R=

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4. F1 = 70N due W
F2 = 150N due N
F3 = 20N due E
F4 = 30N due S

Analytical

Forces Direction Fx Fy

R=

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Page 11 of 11