Resultants from components

The resultant is one force with the same combined effect as all the given forces. Build it from signed components, then state both its magnitude and direction.

The calculator value $\tan^{-1}(|R_y/R_x|)$ is a reference angle. Use the signs of $R_x$ and $R_y$ to place the resultant in the correct quadrant before stating its direction.

The four quadrants are numbered anticlockwise, starting with quadrant I in the upper-right region. Therefore left and up is quadrant II.

A 10 N force acts at 120° anticlockwise from the positive horizontal. A 2 N force acts right and a 3 N force acts down.

Since $R_x<0$ and $R_y>0$, the resultant is in the second quadrant. Its direction from positive horizontal is $180^\circ-62.1^\circ=117.9^\circ$.