Question

The hanger shown in the diagram is balanced. All cherries weigh the same, all mushrooms weigh the same, and all strawberries weigh the same. The bottom of the hanger is hidden from view. Two strings could have more weights extending below the curtain. Maybe there are more, maybe there are not!
How many grams does the exotic fruit weigh, if the weight of one cherry is 7 grams?
Assume that all parts of the hanger itself (horizontal bars and vertical strings) weigh nothing.

Answer 1

Answer:

56 grams.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the sixth vertical string on the right, we have two cherries.

Since it is balanced, each of the other 3 strings(3rd, 4th and 5th) on the right will weigh two cherries.

Therefore:

Right Hand Side(3rd,4th,5th and 6th string) = 4 X 2 Cherries=8 Cherries

The fist string carries a weight of 2 Mushrooms

Therefore the second string will also weight Two Mushrooms.

Left Hand Side(1st and 2nd string)=2 X 2 Mushrooms =4 Mushrooms

Therefore:

Right Hand Side=Left Hand Side

8 Cherries=4 Mushrooms

One Cherry is 7 grams

Therefore:

4 Mushrooms =7 X 8 =56 Grams

The total weight of the left hand side is 56 grams. Therefore, the exotic fruit weighs 56 grams.