The two forces are combined in a sketch using the head-to-tail rule. In Figure 4.8(b), the 25-lb force is sketched first and the 10=1b force is added at the angle of 500 from vertical. The resultant R extends from the tail of the 25-1b force vector (which is labeled as the start point) to the head of the 10-lb force vector (labeled as the endpoint). The three vectors form a side-angle-side triangle. Applying the law of cosines from Appendix B, we solve for the side length R through
from which R=33.29 lb. The angle θ at which R acts is similarly determined by applying the law of sines
The resultant acts at the angle θ=11.13º shown in Figure 4.8(b