Answer:
m = 1,975 m / kg , b = 38.05 m
Step-by-step explanation:
In this experiment, the elongation is plotted against the applied mass
getting a straight line
y = m x + b
where b would be the initial length of spring let's calculate the slope for which we use two well separated points
m = (56.3 -48.4) / (8 - 4)
m = 1,975 m / kg
the equation remains
y = 1,975 x + b
for x = 2 kg y = 42.0 m
we substitute in the equation
42 = 1,975 2 + b
b = 42 - 3.95
b = 38.05 m