Question

The resultant of two forces acting at a point at right angles to each other is 40 pounds. If the horizontal force is 30 pounds what angle does the 30 lb. force make with the resultant

Answer 1

In the right triangle, the hypotenuse is 40 (pounds) and the adjacent side is 30, suggesting the use of the cosine ratio.


`cos(\theta)=(30)/(40) = .75`

Use the inverse cosine function to find theta.


`\cos^(-1){.75} \approx 41.4^\circ`