A man having a weight of 175 lb attempts to hold
himself using one of the two methods shown. Determine the total force he must exert on bar AB in each case and the normal reaction he exerts on the platform at C. Neglect the weight of the platform.

Question

A man having a weight of 175 lb attempts to hold
himself using one of the two methods shown. Determine the total force he must exert on bar AB in each case and the normal reaction he exerts on the platform at C. Neglect the weight of the platform.

anonymous · Answer

Here is the picture. I've looked and talked to several people, but I'm still a little confused about how to set this one up. Does anyone have any ideas? Every FBD I can come up with has too many unknowns. |dw:1414477989534:dw|

surry99 · Answer

Hi,
Start at the platform in each case and draw a FBD.
From there you will get the tension on the ropes holding the platform.
Then draw a FBD of the pulleys, which will allow you to solve for the tension on the 
rope which connects to the bar.  Then finally draw the FBD of the bar and you can
figure out the force he exerts on the bar in each case.

anonymous · Answer

This is what I ended up doing. Thanks for the help.