Question

The distance D that a spring is stretched by a hanging object varies directly as the weight W of the object. If a 27-kg object stretches a spring 53 cm, find the distance when the weight is 13-kg. Round your answer to the nearest whole centimeter.

Answer 1

Cross multiply: 27x = 53*13
x = 53*13/27 = 25.52
Rounds to 26.

Answer 2

The distance when the weight is 13-kg is
`25.51\\` cm

Explanation:

`27\\` Kg mass of object stretches the spring by
`53 \\` cm

`1 \\` kg mass of object stretches the spring by
`(53)/(27) \\` cm

`13 \\` kg mass of object stretches the spring by
`(53)/(27) * (13)\\= 25.51 \\` cm