resultant force physics. two forces on boat...

a boat is being pulled along by two tugs. each applies a force of 5N to the boat. tug 1 does it at 30 degrees north of east, tug 2 at 25 degrees south of east. what is the resultant force from the tugs on the boat? give both magnitude and direction.

i can do it when they pull at equal angles to the stated direction.
but for this i'm not so sure. i've had a go, and have answers, but I'm not entirely sure.
i'd post them, but they aren't valid, since i used simpler numbers here, to make typing easier. just talk me through method i'd have to use.
thanks :smile:

Draw a scale diagram

i tried the tip to tail thing, and used cosine rule with angle 125 degrees in the triangle formed.
this did work for the magnitude (did it?), but i'm struggling with direction.
is it 2.5 degrees north of east?

Reply 3

dave204

draw the diagram. You have the angles to the compass points. and you have the magnitude of force of the hypotenuse of each triangle. Using triganometry to calculate the component forces. Tug 1 applies a force ease and a force north. Tug 2 applies a force east and south. then recombine the net forces. To get the direction and magnitude combine the net component forces.