Solution To Module Exam 01A ESci 123m
Solution To Module Exam 01A ESci 123m
Solution To Module Exam 01A ESci 123m
Solution: Draw the horizontal and vertical axes and get the angles of
the two forces with respect to the horizontal axis and determine its two
components (horizontal and vertical components).
For F1:
For F2:
2. In the figure shown below, determine the components of each force (F1,
F2, and F3) along the x and y axes.
Solution: Determine the components of all the forces along x and y axes by
by projecting a straight line from the head of the force vector and
perpendicular to the axis (either x or y axis).Then, use the appropriate
trigonometric identity for right triangle to get the magnitude of each
component.
𝑅 = 216.73 𝑁
𝑅2 + 𝐹12 − 𝐹22
𝛼 = cos −1
2𝑅𝐹1
𝜃𝑅 = 45 + 𝛼 = 45 + 41.95369794 ≈ 86.950
4. In the figure shown in the next column, determine the magnitude and its
direction of the resultant force measured counterclockwise from the positive
x-axis using “Triangular Law” method.
𝑅 = 413.20 𝑁
𝑅2 + 𝐹12 − 𝐹22
𝛼 = cos −1
2𝑅𝐹1
Solution: By Triangle Law Method, the resultant force can be determined by adding first
the two force vectors F and P graphically as shown below. Then use cosine law to get the
magnitude of the resultant force. Lastly, use cosine law to get the direction of the resultant
force measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis.
𝑅 = √𝐹 2 + 𝑃2 − 2𝐹𝑃 cos 10
𝑅 = 504.24 𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑃2 = 𝑅2 + 𝐹 2 − 2𝑅𝐹 cos 𝛼
𝑅 2 + 𝐹 2 − 𝑃2
𝛼 = cos −1
2𝑅𝐹
504.242 + 2002 − 7002
𝛼 = cos −1 = 166.0505822
2(504.24)(200)
Solution: The first step in solving this problem is to resolve the three forces by
their components along x and y axes. To do this, project a horizontal line from
the head of the force vector F to the y-axis; this will serve as your right triangle
in determining its components. Project also another horizontal line from the head
of the force vector of 4-kN force to the y-axis; this will also serve as your right
triangle in determining its components. Once the components were found, sum
up all the components along x and along y axis and use the Pythagorean
Theorem to determine the magnitude of the resultant force. Lastly, to determine
the direction of the resultant force, use the arctangent identity.
Σ𝐹𝑦 8.193830324
𝜃𝑅 = tan−1 = tan−1 ≈ 47.670
Σ𝐹𝑥 7.4647382
7. If the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the bracket is to be 450 N
directed along the positive u axis, determine the magnitude of F1 and its
direction 𝜙. Use component method.
Solution: To determine the magnitude and direction of F1, first, resolve all the
components (along x and along y) of each force and sum it up. Then, use the
principle in which “the summation of all component forces along x and along y
is equal to the x-component and y-component of the resultant force respectively”
in determining the values of the components of F1. Once the x and y
components of F1 were found, proceed to the last step which is the
determination of direction 𝜙 of F1 using the arctangent identity of a right triangle
generated by projecting a horizontal line from the head of force vector F1 to the
y-axis.
12
𝐹1𝑦 − 𝐹3 ( ) = 𝑅 sin 30
13
12 12
𝐹1𝑦 = 𝑅 sin 30 + 𝐹3 ( ) = 450 sin 30 + 260 ( ) = 465 𝑁
13 13
Solving for the magnitude and direction angle of F1:
𝐹1𝑥 89.711431
𝜙 = tan−1 = tan−1 ≈ 10.920
𝐹1𝑦 465
8. The block shown in the figure below is acted on by its weight W = 400 lbs,
a horizontal force F = 600 lb, and the pressure P exerted by the inclined plane.
The resultant R of these forces is parallel to the incline. Determine P and R.
𝐹 − 𝑃 cos 45 = 𝑅 cos 30
𝑃 cos 45 + 𝑅 cos 30 = 𝐹
𝑃 sin 45 − 𝑊 = 𝑅 sin 30
𝑃 sin 45 − 𝑅 sin 30 = 𝑊
𝑃 = 669.21 𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑅 = 146.41 𝑙𝑏𝑠
9. In the figure shown below, determine the components of each force (F1 and F2)
along the x, y and z axes.
Solution:
The z-component of F1 is pointing downward since it lies below the x-y plane.
Solving the components of F2 using trigonometric identities applied for a right triangle:
3 3
𝐹2𝑧 = 𝐹2 ( ) = 125 ( ) = 75 𝑁 ↑
5 5
4 4
𝐹2⊥ = 𝐹2 ( ) = 125 ( ) = 100 𝑁
5 5
𝐹2𝑥 = 𝐹2⊥ cos 20 = 100 cos 20 ≈ 93.97 𝑁 ↙
The y-component of F2 is pointing to the left since it lies to the left side of the x-z plane.
10. In the figure shown below, determine the components of each force
(F1 and F2) along the x, y and z axes.
Solution:
𝑦𝐴𝐵 𝑦𝐵 − 𝑦𝐴 0−4
𝐹2𝑦 = 𝐹2 = 𝐹2 = 50 ≈ 26.73 𝑙𝑏𝑠 ←
𝑑𝐴𝐵 𝑑𝐴𝐵 2√14
𝑧𝐴𝐵 𝑧𝐵 − 𝑧𝐴 −6 − 0
𝐹2𝑧 = 𝐹2 = 𝐹2 = 50 ≈ 40.09 𝑙𝑏𝑠 ↓
𝑑𝐴𝐵 𝑑𝐴𝐵 2√14
11. The screw eye is subjected to the two forces shown. Express each force in
Cartesian vector form and then determine the resultant force. Find the magnitude
and coordinate direction angles of the resultant force.
Solution:
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = −𝐹1 cos 60 sin 45 𝑖 + 𝐹1 cos 60 cos 45 𝑗 + 𝐹1 sin 60 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = −300 cos 60 sin 45 𝑖 + 300 cos 60 cos 45 𝑗 + 300 sin 60 𝑘
The x-component of F1 is negative since it lies on the back side of the z-y plane.
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 𝐹2 cos 60 𝑖 + 𝐹2 cos 45 𝑗 + 𝐹2 cos 120 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 500 cos 60 𝑖 + 500 cos 45 𝑗 + 500 cos 120 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 250𝑖 + 353.55𝑗 − 250𝑘 𝑁
For direction angles, the cosine function will automatically give you the sign of a particular component. For example, the
z-component of F2 is negative since cosine 120 produces negative value. It can also be seen in the figure in which the
force vector F2 lies below the x-y plane.
⃗R = ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = −75√2𝑖 + 75√2𝑗 + 259.8076211𝑘 + 250𝑖 + 353.55𝑗 − 250𝑘
Solution:
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 𝐹2 cos 60 sin 45 𝑖 + 𝐹2 cos 60 cos 45 𝑗 + 𝐹2 cos 60 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 150 cos 60 sin 45 𝑖 + 150 cos 60 cos 45 𝑗 + 150 cos 60 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 53.03𝑖 + 53.03𝑗 + 129.90𝑘 𝑁
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹3 = 0𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 200𝑘 𝑁
The force vector F3 doesn’t have components along x and y axes since it lies along the z-axis.
⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗
R 𝐹1 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹3 = 72𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 54𝑘 + 53.03𝑖 + 53.03𝑗 + 129.90𝑘 + 0𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 200𝑘
Solution:
Determining the vector form of F1, F2, F3 and the resultant force R:
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹1 = −180𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘 𝑙𝑏
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 𝐹2 cos 30 sin 40 𝑖 + 𝐹2 cos 30 cos 40 𝑗 − 𝐹2 cos 30 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 300 cos 30 sin 40 𝑖 + 300 cos 30 cos 40 𝑗 − 300 cos 30 𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹2 = 167𝑖 + 199.02𝑗 − 150𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹3 = 𝐹3𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹3𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹3𝑧 𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝑅⃗ = 0𝑖 + 600𝑗 + 0𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
The z-component of F2 is negative since it lies below the x-y plane. The resultant force vector only has y-component as
stated in the problem.
Taking the summation of forces along x equals the x-component of R and solving for F3x:
Taking the summation of forces along y equals the y-component of R and solving for F3y:
Taking the summation of forces along z equals the z-component of R and solving for F3z:
𝐹3𝑥 13
𝛼 = cos −1 = cos −1 ≈ 88.260
𝐹3 428.32
𝐹3𝑦 400.98
𝛽 = cos −1 = cos −1 ≈ 20.580
𝐹3 428.32
𝐹3𝑧 150
𝛾 = cos −1 = cos −1 ≈ 69.500
𝐹3 428.32
14. The two mooring cables exert forces on the stern of a ship as shown.
Determine the resultant in vector notation.
Solution:
𝑑𝐶𝐴 = √𝑥𝐶𝐴 2 + 𝑦𝐶𝐴 2 + 𝑧𝐶𝐴 2 = √(50 − 0)2 + (10 − 0)2 + (−30 − 0)2
= 10√35 𝑓𝑡
200
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴 = [(50 − 0)𝑖 + (10 − 0)𝑗 + (−30 − 0)𝑘]
10√35
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴 = 169.03𝑖 + 33.81𝑗 − 101.42𝑘
𝑑𝐶𝐵 = √𝑥𝐶𝐵 2 + 𝑦𝐶𝐵 2 + 𝑧𝐶𝐵 2 = √(50 − 0)2 + (50 − 0)2 + (−30 − 0)2 = 10√59 𝑓𝑡
150
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵 = [(50 − 0)𝑖 + (50 − 0)𝑗 + (−30 − 0)𝑘]
10√59
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵 = 97.64𝑖 + 97.64𝑗 − 58.59𝑘
⃗R = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵 = 169.03𝑖 + 33.81𝑗 − 101.42𝑘 + 97.64𝑖 + 97.64𝑗 − 58.59𝑘
Solution:
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = √𝑥𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝑦𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝑧𝐴𝐶 2 = √(−0.684 − 0)2 + (1.879 + 2)2 + (0 − 4)2 ≈ 5.614 𝑓𝑡
40
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹40 = [(−0.684 − 0)𝑖 + (1.879 + 2)𝑗 + (0 − 4)𝑘]
5.614
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹40 = −4.87𝑖 + 27.64𝑗 − 28.5𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
√77
𝑑𝐴𝐵 = √𝑥𝐴𝐵 2 + 𝑦𝐴𝐵 2 + 𝑧𝐴𝐵 2 = √(1.5 − 0)2 + (−3 + 2)2 + (0 − 4)2 ≈ 𝑓𝑡
2
20
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹20 = [(−0.684 − 0)𝑖 + (1.879 + 2)𝑗 + (0 − 4)𝑘]
√77
2
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹20 = 6.84𝑖 − 4.56𝑗 − 18.23𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
R 𝐹40 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹20 = −4.87𝑖 + 27.64𝑗 − 28.5𝑘 + 6.84𝑖 − 4.56𝑗 − 18.23𝑘
16. In the figure shown below, a vertical boom AE is supported by guy wires from A
to B, C, and D. If the tensile load in AD = 252 lb, find the forces in AC and AB so that
the resultant force on A will be vertical.
Solution:
Generating the vector form of Fad, Fab, Fac, and the resultant force R:
𝐹𝐴𝐷
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴𝐷 = 𝐹𝐴𝐷 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑛𝐴𝐷 = (𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐷 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐷 𝑘)
𝑑𝐴𝐷 𝐴𝐷
252
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴𝐷 = [(4 − 0)𝑖 + (6 − 0)𝑗 + (0 − 12)𝑘]
14
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴𝐷 = 72𝑖 + 108𝑗 − 216𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
𝐹𝐴𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 𝐹𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑛𝐴𝐵 = (𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐵 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐵 𝑘)
𝑑𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐵
𝑅⃗ = 0𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 𝑅𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
4
108 + 0 + − 𝐹 =0
13 𝐴𝐶
13
𝐹𝐴𝐶 = 180 ( ) = 315 𝑙𝑏𝑠
4
Substituting value of Fac to equation 01 to solve for Fab:
3
0.6𝐹𝐴𝐵 − 𝐹 = 72
13 𝐴𝐶
3 3
72 + 𝐹 72 + (315)
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 13 𝐴𝐶 = 13 = 255 𝑙𝑏𝑠
0.6 0.6
17 – 18. In the figure shown below, determine the magnitude of the projection
of the force F1 along cable AC and the angle 𝜃.
Solution:
Using dot product to determine the projection of the force F1 along cable AC:
𝐹1 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 𝐹1 𝑑𝐴𝐶 cos 𝜃
𝐹1 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶
𝐹1 cos 𝜃 =
𝑑𝐴𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥𝐴𝐶 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐶 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐶 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = [(−2 − 2)𝑖 + (3 + 3)𝑗 + (4 − 3)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = −4𝑖 + 6𝑗 + 𝑘 𝑚
𝐹1 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶 𝐹1𝑖 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑖 + 𝐹1𝑗 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑗 + 𝐹1𝑘 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑘
𝐹1 cos 𝜃 = =
𝑑𝐴𝐶 𝑑𝐴𝐶
−20(−4) + 60(6) + (−30)(1)
𝐹1 cos 𝜃 = ≈ 56.32 𝑁
√53
Solving for the angle 𝜃:
𝐹1 cos 𝜃 ≈ 56.32
56.32 56.32
𝜃 ≈ cos −1 ≈ cos −1 ≈ 36.430
𝐹1 70
19 – 22. In the system shown below, it is found that the force
multiplier of force F acting from B to D is Fm = 150 lb/ft and that of
force P acting from A to E is Pm = 100 lb/ft. Find the component of
each force along AC. What angle does each force make with AC?
Solution:
𝐹𝐵𝐷 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 𝐹𝐵𝐷 𝑑𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐹
𝐹𝐵𝐷 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐵𝐶
𝐹𝐵𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐹 =
𝑑𝐵𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵𝐷 = 150[(6 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 8)𝑗 + (0 + 3)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝐵𝐷 = 900𝑖 − 1200𝑗 + 450𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥𝐵𝐶 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐵𝐶 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐵𝐶 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = [(0 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 8)𝑗 + (−9 + 3)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 0𝑖 − 8𝑗 − 6𝑘 𝑓𝑡
𝐹𝐵𝐷 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐵𝐶 𝐹𝐵𝐷𝑖 𝑑𝐵𝐶𝑖 + 𝐹𝐵𝐷𝑗 𝑑𝐵𝐶𝑗 + 𝐹𝐵𝐷𝑘 𝑑𝐵𝐶𝑘
𝐹𝐵𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐹 = =
𝑑𝐵𝐶 𝑑𝐵𝐶
900(0) + (−1200)(−8) + 450(−6)
𝐹𝐵𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐹 = = 690 𝑙𝑏𝑠
10
Solving for the angle 𝜃𝐹 :
Using dot product to determine the projection of the force P along boom AC:
𝑃𝐴𝐸 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 𝑃𝐴𝐸 𝑑𝐴𝐶 cos 𝜃𝑃
𝑃𝐴𝐸 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶
𝑃𝐴𝐸 cos 𝜃𝑃 =
𝑑𝐴𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝐴𝐸 = 100[(−6 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 12)𝑗 + (4 − 0)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑃𝐴𝐸 = −600𝑖 − 1200𝑗 + 400𝑘 𝑙𝑏𝑠
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥𝐴𝐶 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐶 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐶 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = [(0 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 12)𝑗 + (−9 − 0)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 0𝑖 − 12𝑗 − 9𝑘 𝑓𝑡
𝑃𝐴𝐸 ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝐴𝐶 𝑃𝐴𝐸𝑖 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑖 + 𝑃𝐴𝐸𝑗 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑗 + 𝑃𝐴𝐸𝑘 𝑑𝐴𝐶𝑘
𝑃𝐴𝐸 cos 𝜃𝑃 = =
𝑑𝐴𝐶 𝑑𝐴𝐶
−600(0) + (−1200)(−12) + 400(−9)
𝑃𝐴𝐸 cos 𝜃𝑃 = = 720 𝑙𝑏𝑠
15
Solving for the angle 𝜃𝑃 :
23 – 24. In the system shown in problem 19-22, determine the shortest distance from point D to boom AC and from
point E to boom AC. Hint: Use vector cross product.
Solution:
Using vector cross product to determine the value of x or the shortest distance from
point D to the line segment BC:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐷 × 𝑑𝐵𝐶 | = 𝑑𝐵𝐷 𝑑𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐷 × 𝑑𝐵𝐶 |
𝑑𝐵𝐷 sin 𝜃𝐵 = 𝑥 =
𝑑𝐵𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐷 = 𝑥𝐵𝐷 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐵𝐷 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐵𝐷 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐷 = (6 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 8)𝑗 + (0 + 3)𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐷 = 6𝑖 − 8𝑗 + 3𝑘 𝑓𝑡
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥𝐵𝐶 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐵𝐶 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐵𝐶 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = [(0 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 8)𝑗 + (−9 + 3)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 0𝑖 − 8𝑗 − 6𝑘 𝑓𝑡
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐷 × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = det |6 −8 3 | = 48𝑖 + 0𝑗 − 48𝑘 − (0𝑘 − 36𝑗 − 24𝑘)
0 −8 −6
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐷 × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐵𝐶 = 72𝑖 + 36𝑗 − 48𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2 2 2
𝐵𝐷 × 𝑑𝐵𝐶 | = √72 + 36 + (−48) = 12√61 𝑓𝑡
2
Solving for x:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐷 × 𝑑𝐵𝐶 | 12√61 𝑓𝑡 2
𝑥= = ≈ 9.37 𝑓𝑡
𝑑𝐵𝐶 10 𝑓𝑡
Using vector cross product to determine the value of y or the shortest distance from point E
to the line segment AC:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐸 × 𝑑𝐴𝐶 | = 𝑑𝐴𝐸 𝑑𝐴𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐴
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐸 × 𝑑𝐴𝐶 |
𝑑𝐴𝐸 sin 𝜃𝐴 = 𝑦 =
𝑑𝐴𝐶
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐸 = 𝑥𝐴𝐸 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐸 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐸 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐸 = (−6 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 12)𝑗 + (4 − 0)𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐸 = −6𝑖 − 12𝑗 + 4𝑘 𝑓𝑡
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥𝐴𝐶 𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴𝐶 𝑗 + 𝑧𝐴𝐶 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = [(0 − 0)𝑖 + (0 − 12)𝑗 + (−9 − 0)𝑘]
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 0𝑖 − 12𝑗 − 9𝑘 𝑓𝑡
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Determining the magnitude of the cross product |𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐸 × 𝑑𝐴𝐶 |:
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐸 × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = det |−6 −12 4 | = 108𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 72𝑘 − (0𝑘 + 54𝑗 − 48𝑘)
0 −12 −9
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐸 × ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴𝐶 = 156𝑖 − 54𝑗 + 72𝑘
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2 2 2
𝐴𝐸 × 𝑑𝐴𝐶 | = √156 + (−54) + 72 = 6√901 𝑓𝑡
2
Solving for y:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
|𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐸 × 𝑑𝐴𝐶 | 6√901 𝑓𝑡 2
𝑦= = ≈ 12.01 𝑓𝑡
𝑑𝐴𝐶 15 𝑓𝑡