A particle of weight 24 N is held in equilibrium by two light inextensible strings - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Mechanics - Question 1 - 2007 - Paper 1

Next, we find the value of Q using the horizontal components of the forces. The horizontal component of tension P can be expressed as follows:

$Q = P \cos 30°$

Now, we substitute the known value of P along with the cosine function:

1. Calculate $\cos 30° = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$.
2. Substitute in the value of P: $Q = 48 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = 24\sqrt{3}$
3. For an approximate value, $\sqrt{3} \approx 1.732$, therefore: $Q \approx 24 \times 1.732 \approx 41.6$

Thus, the value of Q is approximately 41.6 N.