SOLUTION: could you please help me? a lever 12m long balances weights of 48kg on one end and 24kg on the other end find the lengths of the two aems of the lever. thank you for your much ne

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Question 147661: could you please help me? a lever 12m long balances weights of 48kg on one end and 24kg on the other end find the lengths of the two aems of the lever. thank you for your much needed help.
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the length of the arm multiplied by the weight is the same on both sides

let x="length of 48kg arm", so 12-x="length of 24kg arm"

48(x)=24(12-x) __ distributing __ 48x=288-24x __ adding 24x __ 72x=288 __ dividing by 72 __ x=4