Vctors and direction

Question

A small boat is being towed at constant speed along canalsin opposite sides pulling with equal forces of 1000N at equal angles of rope attached to the boat = 60°

Calculate the force each man puts on the rope

a) parallel to the bank

b) alright angles to the bank

Answer 1

I'm guessing your problem looks like this:

Each 1000 N force can be resolved into a force in the x-direction (F_x) plus a force in the y-direction (F_y). To find these, use trig ratios. cos(θ) = adj/hyp so cos(60°) = F_y/1000 or F_y = 1000cos(60°) = 500 N and sin(θ) = opp/adj so sin(60°) = F_x/1000 or F_x = 1000sin(60°) = 866 N