Finding smallest forces required to produce a given moment

[Leo M]

I have a diagram in the attached Word file that may help some. Just remember that a moment is a moment wherever on the object it is applied, as long as the equivalent forces are coplanar and the plane is the same as for the original moment applied to the object.

[sanddrag]

You are magnificent! Thanks so much. I totally understand now. I knew it was something simple I was missing. For parts (b) and (c) I wasn't applying the forces perpendicular to the longest distance between the points. I knew this wasn't a hard problem but I couldn't understand why I wasn't getting it, but now I understand it no problem and I took a look at the rest of my problems and I don't think they will be any problem for me. (I've already done 3D moment and force equilibrium problems successfully, but this simple 2d one got me).Anyway, thanks again for the help! It is greatly appreciated.

[Leo M]

Glad I could help. Let me know when you get to trusses - those are tricky. And, it's really fun when you get to virtual work and strength of materials - the statics stuff gets boring real fast!