Tension in 3D

Three cables are used to support a sign weighing 500 lbs. Each cable is anchored at a location with the given coordinates (x, y, z).
Find the tension in each of the cables A, B and C.

Question

Tension in 3D

Three cables are used to support a sign weighing 500 lbs. Each cable is anchored at a location with the given coordinates (x, y, z). 
Find the tension in each of the cables A, B and C.

johnweldon1993 · Answer

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parthkohli · Answer

First, we should convert 500 lbs to Newtons.

Those coordinates are very difficult to work with, so probably will have to find the angles made by each of those wires with each axis.

johnweldon1993 · Answer

Right...so 4905N

parthkohli · Answer

We should only, for simplicity, take the x-y plane and analyze everything in it.  OK?

johnweldon1993 · Answer

Okay that sounds fine with me! lol the 3 dimensions are confusing me anyways...

So ignore the z-component completely?

parthkohli · Answer

|dw:1396023319831:dw|Yes, we'd be able to find the x and y components of tension at least.

parthkohli · Answer

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