Final answer:
The assignment involves calculating the x and y-centres of mass and the moment of inertia of a tinker-toy set using the masses and distances of the rods and hubs from a specified axis, applying the parallel-axis theorem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question requires the calculation of the centre of mass and the moment of inertia for a child's tinker-toy set. For calculating the centre of mass in the x and y-directions, the masses and coordinates of each component (rods and connector hubs) would need to be taken into account. To calculate the moment of inertia c, one would use the parallel-axis theorem for components like the rods, and then apply it to the entire assembly regarding an axis through 'Hub A'. For precise calculations, the mass distribution and the location of the axis of rotation are crucial. Using the given example of the child on the merry-go-round (with a moment of inertia Ic = MR² = (18.0 kg)(1.25 m)² = 28.13 kg · m²), similar principles apply to the tinker-toy set where the masses of the rods and the hubs would be taken into account with their respective distances from the axis of rotation.