# Why can't I use vector addition in this way here? [duplicate]

I know that this exact question has been asked here a number of times, but none of the answers sit right with me. The question says that the ends of the strings are pulled with a velocity of "u" units. We are to find the velocity of the block in terms of u. The answer is u/cos(θ) units. However, my approach included adding two vectors of magnitude "u" seperated by an angle of 2θ. Evaluating that gives an answer of 2ucos(θ), which is wrong. Where am I going wrong?

• It's the forces exerted by the two ropes on the block that add together. But here, you're considering how fast they're moving. There's no reason why those should add. The point is that each rope has to pull half as hard as a single rope would in order to maintain the same speed. Apr 10 at 15:59

The model you are assuming here is not correct for the following reason: Imagine you have a horse carriage that is pulled by one horse with a speed of $$v$$. Then (if the horse is strong enough) the carriage will travel at a speed of $$v$$. Now, if you put 10 horses in front of the carriage, the carriage will not travel at the speed of $$10v$$, but still at a speed of $$v$$. Otherwise it would overtake the horses and this is clearly not physical.
Also, a good check is always taking the limiting case. Here this would correspond to $$\theta\rightarrow0$$. The physical situation is then that the mass is very far below from the setup which is outlined here. Then, if you pull by some distance $$x$$, you will lift the package by the same distance $$x$$. This is also exactly what you find with the formula since $$\cos(0)=1$$!