One way to break a force into components that align with the x or y axis is to use components of forces.
Multiply the force times the cos sin of the angle to break the force into its x and y components.
Experiment with some simple forces and angles to get the hang of these types of calculations.
Use 100 pounds at a positive 30 degree angle up from the horizontal.
Make sure your calculator is set to degree mode rather than radian mode.
100 lbs x sin 30 = 50 lbs in the y axis direction
100 lbs x cos 30 = 86.6 lbs in the x axis direction
Your goal is to find the values that put the system in equilibrium.
The forces up must equal the forces downward.
The forces to the left must equal forces to the left.
Basically forces must cancel each other out and equal zero to be in equilibrium.
Once the table has identified all forces along the x and y axis, you need to calculate the force needed to make the system be in equilibrium.
The example above on the blue paper is a good example.
I am not taking the mechanical engineering course so I do not know what it contains.
I am taking computer programming.