Question 11
A trolley is pulled with a force of 20 N towards the east and 15 N towards the west. In which direction, and with what resultant force, will it be drawn along?
The right answer is the one marked above.
5 N towards the east. East and west are opposite directions, so 20 N − 15 N = 5 N; the larger force is the eastward one, so the direction is east.
35 N comes from adding the two forces. Saying the direction is west mistakes which force is larger — 20 N is more than 15 N.