Please help! I still can't resolve 3D force vectors. I can't find the x and y components of F1.

Question

jotopia34 · Answer

attachment

zehanz · Answer

I think the key is the blue triangle.
This is how it looks in 2D: 

It is a well-known type of triangle. 
If you recognise it, you'll know what vertices a and b are...

zehanz · Answer

Once you have a and b, you can combine them with the numbers given in the drawing, leading to the x- and y-components.

jotopia34 · Answer

Thank you for answering this, my one confusion was that it didn't look like a right triangle to me.......How do you know that it is?

zehanz · Answer

The x, y and z-axes are all perpendicular, this causes the triangle to have a right angle as well. Just imagine how it would look when viewed from above!

jotopia34 · Answer

okay, i was distracted by its look. Thanks again!

zehanz · Answer

yw!