A traffic light is hanging from two cables tilted at 37 and 42 degrees. If it has a mass of 2.3 kg find the tension in each cable.

1 answer

draw the figure. Let the 42deg be on the right.

the horizontal components are equal or
Tl*cos37=Tr*cos42

the vertical components add to the weight of the light.

2.3*9.8=Tlsin37+Trsin42

two equaions, two unknowns, solve for Tension left and Tension right.