Math Word Problems Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

96 ¼ 10 x

96

10

¼

101 x

101

9 : 6 ¼x

A weight of 9.6 pounds should be placed 10 inches from the fulcrum to

balance the lever.

3. Letx¼the pressure in pounds needed to move the rock.
   WL¼wl

80 ð 3 Þ¼xð 5 Þ

240 ¼ 5 x

240

5

¼

51 x

51

48 ¼x

48 pounds of pressure is needed to move the rock.

4. Letx¼the distance from the fulcrum where a 24-pound weight sits
   and 6
   x¼the distance from the fulcrum the 36-pound weight sits.
   WL¼wl

24 ðxÞ¼ 36 ð 6 
xÞ

24 x¼ 216 
 36 x

24 xþ 36 x¼ 216 
 36 xþ 36 x

60 x¼ 216

601 x

601

¼

216

60

x¼ 3 :6 feet

The fulcrum should be placed 3.6 feet from the end of the lever which

has the 24-pound weight.

LESSON 16 Solving Lever Problems 179