Identify all forces acting on the object
Choose a sign convention (e.g., up/right positive, down/left negative)
Resolve each force into components (horizontal and vertical) if needed
Add forces in the horizontal direction: (F_x = sum F_x)
Add forces in the vertical direction: (F_y = sum F_y)
Compute net force magnitude (2D): (F_{text{net}} = sqrt{F_x^2 + F_y^2})
Compute net force direction (2D): (theta = tan^{-1}left(frac{F_y}{F_x}right))
If only 1D: (F_{text{net}} = sum F) (with signs)
Use the result as the net force in (a = frac{F_{text{net}}}{m}) if acceleration is required