Two force magnitudes add to 16 N. Their resultant is perpendicular to the smaller force and has magnitude 8 N. Find magnitude x (N) of the smaller force.
Physics · Mixed Chapter
JEE Main Practice

Question

Two force magnitudes add to 16 N. Their resultant is perpendicular to the smaller force and has magnitude 8 N. Find magnitude x (N) of the smaller force.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Let smaller force be x and larger 16−x. With resultant R⃗ ⟂ smaller force, the vector triangle gives (16−x)² = x² + 8². Step 2: Expand: 256−32x+x² = x²+64. Step 3: x=(256−64)/32 = 6 N. The PDF prints key 3, which is inconsistent with the stated magnitudes.