Resolve cable forces into eastward components and sum them

Steps:

• Identify the tension in each cable and its angle relative to east.
• Calculate the eastward component of each cable using $F_x = F \cos \theta$, where $\theta$ is the angle from east.
• Sum the eastward components from all cables.
• The total eastward force is the net sum.

Why C is correct:

• The sum of eastward components equals 7.0 kN, per vector resolution in static equilibrium.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Underestimates by ignoring one cable's full contribution.
• B: Averages components instead of summing them.
• D: Includes a vertical component mistakenly as eastward.

Final answer: C