Two lifeguards pull on ropes attached to a

Question

raft. If they pull in the same direction, the raft
experiences a net external force of 376 N to
the right. If they pull in opposite directions,
the raft experiences a net external force of
162 N to the left.
Draw a free body diagram for each situation
and find the magnitude of the larger of the two
individual forces.
Answer in units of N

Answer 1

Eq1: F1 + F2 = 376 N.
Eq2: F1 - F2 = 162 N.
Sum: 2F1 = 538
F1 = 269 N.

In Eq1, replace F1 with 269:
269 + F2 = 376
F2 = 376 - 269 = 107 N.