Final answer:
To find the tension in cord a for system (b), we can calculate the tension in cord b using the given information and then determine that the tension in cord a is also equal to that value.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to find the tension in cord a for system (b), we need to analyze the forces acting on the system and apply the principles of static equilibrium. We can draw a free-body diagram for the system and consider the forces acting on the knot that ties the cords.
From the information provided, the tensions in cord a and cord b are equal. Therefore, to find the tension in cord a, we can calculate the tension in cord b using the given information and then determine that the tension in cord a is also equal to that value.