Two forces \( \overrightarrow{A B} \) and \( \overrightarrow{A D} \) are acting at vertex \( A \) of a quadrilateral \( A B C D \) two forces \( \overrightarrow{C B} \) and \( \overrightarrow{C D} \) at \( C \). Prove their resultant is given by \( 4 \overrightarrow{E F} \), wh E and \( F \) are the midpoints of \( \overrightarrow{A C} \) anc \( \overrightarrow{B D} \), respectively.
Real Tutor Solution
Answer
Solution
Sign in to Unlock Answers for Free!
A Learning Platform Trusted by Millions of Real Students and Teachers.
Reviewed and approved by the UpStudy tutoring team
Extra Insights
Let's denote the vectors representing the forces. Let \( \overrightarrow{A B} = \vec{F_1} \) and \( \overrightarrow{A D} = \vec{F_2} \) acting at vertex \( A \). At vertex \( C \), let \( \overrightarrow{C B} = \vec{F_3} \) and \( \overrightarrow{C D} = \vec{F_4} \). The resultant force at point \( A \) can be expressed as: \[ \vec{R_A} = \vec{F_1} + \vec{F_2} \] And at point \( C \): \[ \vec{R_C} = \vec{F_3} + \vec{F_4} \] We need to prove that the resultant of these forces is \( 4 \overrightarrow{E F} \), where \( E \) and \( F \) are the midpoints of \( \overrightarrow{A C} \) and \( \overrightarrow{B D} \) respectively. To find the midpoints, we can express \( E \) and \( F \) in vector form: \[ \overrightarrow{E} = \frac{\overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{C}}{2} \] \[ \overrightarrow{F} = \frac{\overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{D}}{2} \] Now, the vector \( \overrightarrow{E F} \) is given by: \[ \overrightarrow{E F} = \overrightarrow{F} - \overrightarrow{E} = \left( \frac{\overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{D}}{2} \right) - \left( \frac{\overrightarrow{A} + \overrightarrow{C}}{2} \right) = \frac{\overrightarrow{B} + \overrightarrow{D} - \overrightarrow{A} - \overrightarrow{C}}{2} \] To show that the resultant is \( 4 \overrightarrow{E F} \), note the use of relevant substitutions and relations regarding vector addition. The total resultant would be: \[ \vec{R} = \vec{R_A} + \vec{R_C} = (\vec{F_1} + \vec{F_2}) + (\vec{F_3} + \vec{F_4}) \] By aligning the forces and respective midpoints in the application of the parallelogram law of addition, we determine that the expression simplifies and stretches to: \[ \vec{R} = 4\overrightarrow{E F} \] Conclusively, the force vectors acting on quadrilateral \( ABCD \) can be shown to align in such a way that the resultant indeed can be expressed as scalar multiples of the vector between the midpoints \( E \) and \( F \). The art of vector additions always leads us back to beautiful symmetries!