In what way forces appear to be like this statement " one plus one is not always two"?

Question

In what way forces appear to be like this statement " one plus one is not always two"?

Answer 1

one force plus an opposing force is equal to zero.. that is due to the difference in the direction of both forces..

for example.. when you push a cart to the right there is another force, which is the opposing force (frictional force) which is directed to the left.. therefore the sign of friction is negative..

thus, adding these forces will sum up to zero..

Answer 2

If two forces have the same magnitude,direction, and point

of application: 1+1=2

otherwise, you're correct 1+1 is "not always two"

This is often the case with vectors.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Because forces have direction. As the other pserson pointed out if they are equal and opposite then they will add to 0. Same with velocities and accelerations. But again this is because we are dealing with things have direction as well as a magnitude.