The Marksmith AU

The forces added, not resolved

You add the forces instead of resolving them.

Resolve into two perpendicular directions, one equation each — never one mixed equation. On an incline, $mg$ splits into $mg\sin\theta$ along the slope and $mg\cos\theta$ perpendicular. Tension is not the normal force.

Next time: Two directions, two equations, diagram beside them.

Try it: Work one on a block