Balancing a seesaw

Question

To balance a seesaw, the distance, d (in feet), a person from the fulcrum is inversely proportional to his or her weight, w (in pounds). Roger, who weighs 120 pounds, is sitting 6 feet away from the fulcrum. Ellen weighs 108 pounds. How far from the fulcrum must she sit to balance the seesaw?

Answer 1

Cole,

 

Distance is inversely proportional to weight

 

distance = k/(weight) where k is a constant

 

or distance * weight = k

 

In this case

120 *6 = 108 * distance

 

or Distance = 120*6/108 = 6.67

 

So Ellen should sit 6.67 feet away from the fulcrum.