Lever Problem 1 Solution

With any type of lever problem it's important to realize that the weight of object 1 TIMES the distance of that object from the center(or fulcrum) is going EQUAL the weight of object 2 TIMES the distance of that object from the center(fulcrum).

So in this problem you know the to weights are Sam at 100 lbs and James at 150 lbs, and the distance from the fulcrum is known for Sam which is 8(feet). However, you don't know James' distance so thats what were trying to find.

So set them equal

100 * 8 = 150 * x

800 = 150x

x = 800/150

x = 5 1/3 (feet) or 5 feet 4 inches (since 1(ft)/3 * 12 inches/ft = 4 inches)