Question

The weight that a horizontal beam can support varies inversely as the length of the beam. Suppose that a 2-m beam can support 310 kg. How many kilograms can a 10-m beam support?

Answer 1

W = kL    where W = weight supported,  L = length of the beam and k is constant of variation.

Substituting the given values:-

310 = 2k
k = 155

so equation of variation is W = 155L

For length 10  m  the weight it can support is

W = 155*10  = 1550 kg answer

Answer 2

Answer:

62 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let w be the weight of beam and l be the length of beam.

We have been given that the weight that a horizontal beam can support varies inversely as the length of the beam.

We know that inversely proportion quantities are in form: $y=\frac{k}{x}$, where k is constant of proportionality.

$w=\frac{k}{l}$

First of all, we will find the value of k using the $w=310$ and $l=2$ in inversely proportion equation as:

$310=\frac{k}{2}$

$310*2=\frac{k}{2}*2$

$620=k$

Now we will substitute $620=k$ and $l=10$, in our given equation as:

$w=\frac{620}{10}$

$w=62$

Therefore, a 10-m beam can support 62 kilograms.