Question

how does one find the resultant of forces that are acting either in the same direction or in the opposite direction

Answer 1

1. If the forces are acting on one side from the same direction....
F1 and F2-->Body
Just add both the forces to get the resultant force.....in this case the body will move in the direction where both of the forces r acting!

2. If the forces are acting on the 2 sides.... The forces in this case is mutually opposite from each other...
F1-->Body<--F2
Just subtract the force which is greater of the 2 forces to get the resultant force....in this case the body will move in the direction of the force which is greater!
:)