Krafter (grundläggande Mekanik)

The answer in the book is Psin $α$ +Ptan $β$ cos $α$ . I got the negative of this answer because I assume that the force CA is -P since in the question it says AC is P. Is my assumption incorrect and if so why?

The text says that the absolute value of the force is P so you need not introduce a negative P. The arrows is correct in your figure and you may use the absolute values in the calculation knowing that the x-axis forces compensate each other (to zero) and the y-axis forces adds up.

Thank you for the explanation : )

Svara