Question

the weight of an object on mars varies directly with its weight on earth. an object that weighs 50 pounds on mars weighs 150 pounds on earth. if an object weighs 120 pounds on earth, write and solve a direct variation equation to find how much an object would weigh on mars.

Answer 1

Weight on mars is directly proportional to weight on earth... Therefore,

Wm α We => Wm = kWe, Where Wm = Weight on mars, We = Weight on earth, k = constant of proportionality.

For Wm = 50 pounds, We = 150 pounds;

k = Wm/We = 50/150 = 1/3
Now, for 120 pounds on earth;

Wm = k*We
Substituting;
Wm = 1/3 * 120 = 40 pounds