The forces on the barge are represented as P1 and P2.

These forces are concurrent at

point O.

Figure 3.1 Resultant by parallelogram method.

The resultant of these two nonrectangular forces can be computed using the
parallelogram law, as shown in Figure 3.1b. The principle of the parallelogram law is
that two concurrent forces can be replaced by their resultant, which is represented by
the diagonal of a parallelogram, the sides of which are equal and parallel to the two
forces.
Note that the parallelogram OABC is constructed by drawing AB and CB parallel to OC
and OA (which are, respectively, forces P1 and P2). The parallelogram composed of
forces (vectors) and angles may be drawn to some selected scale and the resultant
determined using a graphical method of solution. Using an electronic calculator,
however, makes it simpler and more accurate to use a freehand sketch of the
parallelogram along with geometric and trigonometric relationships to obtain the
resultant. Our discussion will be limited to mathematical solutions rather than to
graphical solutions. You may wish to verify the solutions graphically.
To compute the magnitude and direction of the resultant, the magnitudes and directions
of the two forces P1 and P2 must be known. It may be recognized in the parallelogram
of Figure 3.1b that triangle OAB has been created, in which two sides and the included
angle are known. The resultant R can then be calculated using the law of cosines, which,
with reference to Figure 3.1b, can be written as

The direction of the resultant can be obtained using the law of sines, which, again with
reference to Figure 3.1b, can be written

from which

Note that in a concurrent force system the line of action of the resultant will always pass
through the point of concurrence (point O). Therefore, the location of the resultant is
always known, and it is necessary to determine only its magnitude, direction, and sense.
An examination of Figure 3.1b reveals that it is necessary to sketch and make
computations for only one of the triangles of the parallelogram. Both triangles will yield
the same result. The triangle is simply a force triangle, similar to that shown in Figure
2.16, except that this force triangle is not a right triangle. The relationship shown by the
force triangle is sometimes set forth as a principle itself and is given the name the
triangle law. The basis for this principle is that if the tail end of either force vector is
placed at the arrow end of the other, the resultant force vector is the third side of the
triangle, and it has a direction from the tail end of the first vector to the arrow end of
the other. Note that the computations to determine the resultant are identical, based on
trigonometric relationships, whether a parallelogram or a triangle is considered. A
graphical solution may be used in either case.
Example 3.1
Determine the magnitude, direction, and sense of the resultant of the two concurrent
forces P1 and P2 shown in Figure 3.2. The forces have magnitudes of 100 lb and 140
lb, respectively, and are concurrent at point O. P1 acts at an angle of 30° above the X
axis and P2 acts at an angle of 45° below the X axis.
Figure 3.2 Resultant of concurrent force system.
Solution
The parallelogram law will be used. First, construct parallelogram OACB as shown,
with AC equal and parallel to P2 and BC equal and parallel to P1. Then, from Figure
3.2, calculate angle (the angle at O between line segments OA and OB, which
represent the forces):

Since OB and AC are parallel, angle can be calculated:

Using triangle OAC, now calculate the magnitude of R, recognizing that side AC is
equal to P2 (or 140 lb):

from which

Note that the cosine of 105° is a negative value. Recall that the cosine of an angle
between 0° and 90° is positive and that it is negative from 90° to 180°.

The direction of the resultant with respect to force P1 can be calculated using the
law of sines. Again, using triangle OAC,

Substituting, noting that the length AC is equal to the length of P2 and equal to 140 lb:

The direction of the resultant with respect to the horizontal X axis, designated
Note that in a concurrent force system the line of action of the resultant will always pass
through the point of concurrence (point O). Therefore, the location of the resultant is
always known, and it is necessary to determine only its magnitude, direction, and sense.
An examination of Figure 3.1b reveals that it is necessary to sketch and make
computations for only one of the triangles of the parallelogram. Both triangles will yield
the same result. The triangle is simply a force triangle, similar to that shown in Figure
2.16, except that this force triangle is not a right triangle. The relationship shown by the
force triangle is sometimes set forth as a principle itself and is given the name the
triangle law. The basis for this principle is that if the tail end of either force vector is
placed at the arrow end of the other, the resultant force vector is the third side of the
triangle, and it has a direction from the tail end of the first vector to the arrow end of
the other. Note that the computations to determine the resultant are identical, based on
trigonometric relationships, whether a parallelogram or a triangle is considered. A
graphical solution may be used in either case.
Example 3.1
Determine the magnitude, direction, and sense of the resultant of the two concurrent
forces P1 and P2 shown in Figure 3.2. The forces have magnitudes of 100 lb and 140
lb, respectively, and are concurrent at point O. P1 acts at an angle of 30° above the X
axis and P2 acts at an angle of 45° below the X axis.
Figure 3.2 Resultant of concurrent force system.