If weight B needs to be moved 50 inches right to balance the board, what are the weights given A = 500, B = 200, C = 400?

If weight B needs to be moved 50 inches right to balance the board, what are the weights given A = 500, B = 200, C = 400?

• A. A = 400, B = 250, C = 300
• B. A = 500, B = 200, C = 400
• C. A = 300, B = 375, C = 600
• D. A = 600, B = 375, C = 200

Answer: (B)

To determine why the choice of A = 500, B = 200, C = 400 is the correct answer in this context, we must first understand the concept of balancing a board in terms of moment (torque).

In a system where weight needs to be moved to achieve balance, the moments created by the weights on either side of the pivot point must be equal. This is calculated using the formula:

Moment = Weight × Distance from Pivot.

The configuration given (A = 500, B = 200, C = 400) allows us to calculate the moments created by each weight currently on the board. If weight B is near the pivot and needs a shift of 50 inches to achieve balance, the moments around the pivot can be checked to ensure equilibrium.

If weight B is not altered in the current option and remains at 200 lbs, with A and C fixed at 500 lbs and 400 lbs respectively, redistributing or moving weight B (and the stated distance of 50 inches) from its position is necessary to achieve a balanced moment in comparison to the other weights. This demonstrates that the initial state of the weights is already in a balanced format, and no additional mass needs adjusting, as the existing configuration satisfactor