A 120-cm-wide sign hangs from a 5.1kg , 200-cm-long pole. A cable of negligible mass supports the end of the rod as shown in the figure(Figure 1) . What is the maximum mass of the sign if the maximum tension in the cable without breaking is 320N ?

i got as far as finding the angle to be 21.3 degrees but don't know where to go from here. can someone help please?

Question

A 120-cm-wide sign hangs from a 5.1kg , 200-cm-long pole. A cable of negligible mass supports the end of the rod as shown in the figure(Figure 1) .  What is the maximum mass of the sign if the maximum tension in the cable without breaking is 320N ?

i got as far as finding the angle to be 21.3 degrees but don't know where to go from here.  can someone help please?

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

All forces on the system need to be balanced. From there you can find the equation for the tension in the cable and eventually the maximum mass of the sign. 
The y-component of the force the cable exerts on the sign will be equal to the force the sign exerts on the pole : 5.1kg*9.81N/kg

anonymous · Answer

can you work it out from there?

anonymous · Answer

not really.  but that may be because i'm tired and it's nearly 6 in the morning.  my brain isn't making the proper connections anymore.

anonymous · Answer

I'll do it for you :)

anonymous · Answer

answer is 191.7kg

I included a picture of the solution. I hope you can read it.

anonymous · Answer

Did my solution suffice?