Question

A bag of cement of weight 300 N hangs from three wires. Two of the wires make angles θ1 = 50.0° and θ2 = 28.0° with the horizontal. Assuming the system is in equilibrium, find the tensions in the wires.

Answer 1

Draw a diagram to represent the known forces acting on the mass (two tensions pointing upwards along the wires, and the weight pointing vertically downwards).

You would find the resultant of the three forces, F1, F2 and W, graphically or by resolution into x- and y-components.

The magnitude and direction of the force opposite in direction to the resultant represents the third force required.

As it is, the question does not mention whether the two strings are on the same side or opposite sides of the vertical.