Addition of Coplanar Forces – Using Scalar Notation

For problems and solutions on addition of coplanar forces click HERE.

Given the coplanar forces F₁, F₂ and F₃ below, find the resultant force F_R = F₁ + F₂ + F₃

Step 1:

Resolve the forces into their rectangular components i.e.:





Step 2:

Determine the resultant force in the x-axis and y-axis independently i.e.:



Step 3:

Finally determine the magnitude of the resultant force F_R and its direction θ :

For problems and solutions on addition of coplanar forces click HERE.