Mechanics Problem

Can anyone provide insight on the process of answering this question?

http://i48.tinypic.com/2wnzp7l.png

Oh man.. I totally forgot how to do this. The idea behind tension forces is that the Sum of all forces in the X direction must equal zero. The sum of all forces in the Y direction must equal zero.

Thus the Net-force of the system must equal 0. Using that, you solve the system for the force in each string/chain.

I obviously failed at doing so below but I did reduce the system a bit. That dotted line down the centre is the third string.

http://i.imgur.com/LuKLL.png


I don't remember if I'm approaching it right :l The diagram I drew kinda looks like the hanging weights problems.

Hmm I'll see what I can do with that. You did approach it right as it is a equilibrium problem

http://i.imgur.com/NJfUw.png

because its all symmetric and the horizontal forces cancel out, you can basically do it on 1 chain as a standard 2d statics problem.

This is from the solution manual btw, so its not my work. I couldnt get it to work out even though i was doing basically the same thing.

Ahhhhh it's symmetric.... damn that makes it a lot easier. Thanks a lot for your help guys