Question 1012801: Linda and Joanne sit 10 feet apart on a seesaw. If Linda weighs 80 lbs. and Joanne weighs 120 lbs., how far is the fulcrum from each girl.
Found 3 solutions by stanbon, ikleyn, MathTherapy:
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Linda and Joanne sit 10 feet apart on a seesaw. If Linda weighs 80 lbs. and Joanne weighs 120 lbs., how far is the fulcrum from each girl.
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Equation::
L + J = 10
80L = 120J
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80(10-J) = 120J
800 - 80J = 120j
800 = 200J
J = 4 ft (Joanne's distance from the fulcrum)
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L = 10-J = 6 ft (Linda's distance from the fulcrum)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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Answer by ikleyn(52903)  (Show Source):
Answer by MathTherapy(10557)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Linda and Joanne sit 10 feet apart on a seesaw. If Linda weighs 80 lbs. and Joanne weighs 120 lbs., how far is the fulcrum from each girl
Let distance Linda is from the fulcrum be L
Then distance Joanne is from the fulcrum is: 10 - L
Since products of each weight and their distances from the fulcrum are equal, then we get: 80L = 120(10 – L)
80L = 1,200 – 120L
80L + 120L = 1,200
200L = 1.200
L, or distance Linda is from the fulcrum =  , or  feet
Therefore, Joanne is 10 – 6, or  feet from the fulcrum
If the seesaw is balanced (not stated, but is assumed to be), Linda the lighter girl must be sitting farther
from the fulcrum than Joanne, whom, being the heavier of the 2, must be sitting closer to the fulcrum.
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