Q9: Prb 4 - If the children are separated by a distance of 3.0 m, at which distance, in meters, from the pivot point is the smaller child sitting in order to maintain the balance?

Question

Two children of mass 15 kg and 27 kg sit balanced on a seesaw with the pivot point located at the center of the seesaw.

Answer 1

The pivot point is x meters from the 15kg child. It is also (3 - x) meters from the 27kg child. Balance this equation

15x = 27(3-x)

solve this

x is approximately 1.929 meters