Two forces of 40 N and 50 N act at an angle 60 degrees of to each other. Determine the resultant and equilibrant of these forces.
Let vector u = 40N Let vector v = 50N
I made a right angle triangle from the end of vector u onto v and calculated |u|sin $\theta$ = 1732.1N
Clearly it isn't the resultant though, this would really help me before my test thanks for all the help.
The resultant is simply the sum of the forces. You seem to have calculated a dot product instead (incorrectly, because $|u|\sin(\theta)\leq |u|$, so it can't be 1732.1N).
Choose your coordinate system such that $$\vec{u}=(40N,0)$$ $$\vec{v}=(50N\cos(60^{\circ}),50N\sin(60^{\circ}))$$ Add the vectors to get the resultant $$\vec{u}+\vec{v}=(40N+50N\cos(60^{\circ}),50N\sin(60^{\circ}))$$