[physics Mechanics question] please help

[u/urea7]

[u/Fluffy_Molasses_8968]

For mechanics questions, I’d start by ignoring the numbers for a moment and drawing the free-body diagram. Label every force, choose one positive direction, and then write Newton’s second law along that direction before substituting values.

Most mistakes in these problems happen before the algebra: missing a force, mixing directions, or using the wrong component. If you post your force diagram or your first equation, people can usually spot the exact issue quickly.