Question

Mr.Roth's children-Jake,Paul, and Jill-weigh 80,60 and 50 pounds, respectively. They all sit on the same side of a seesaw together. Jake sits 3 feet from the fulcrum, Paul sits 5 feet from the fulcrum, and Jill sits 6 feet from the fulcrum. How far from the fulcrum must Mr. Roth sit on the other side to balance the seesaw if he weighs 200 pounds?

a.)4.2ft
b.)5.5ft
c.)5ft
d.)4ft

Answer 1

To balance the seesaw, Mr. Roth must sit 4.2 feet from the fulcrum on the other side.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the seesaw, we need to apply the principle of torque. The torque exerted by each person on the seesaw is equal to their weight multiplied by their distance from the fulcrum. Since the children on one side have already been mentioned, let's find the total torque exerted by them. Jake's torque = 80 pounds x 3 feet = 240 foot-pounds. Paul's torque = 60 pounds x 5 feet = 300 foot-pounds. Jill's torque = 50 pounds x 6 feet = 300 foot-pounds. The total torque on one side is 240 + 300 + 300 = 840 foot-pounds.

To balance the seesaw, the total torque on the other side must be equal to 840 foot-pounds. Let's assume Mr. Roth sits 'x' feet from the fulcrum. His torque would be 200 pounds x 'x' feet. To balance the seesaw, his torque must be equal to 840 foot-pounds. Therefore, 200 pounds x 'x' feet = 840 foot-pounds. Solving for 'x', we get 'x' = 840 foot-pounds / 200 pounds = 4.2 feet.

So, Mr. Roth must sit 4.2 feet from the fulcrum on the other side to balance the seesaw.