Calculating Pressure on Snowshoes from 900N Load

[physgrl]

Homework Statement

6. A person weighing 900 N is standing on snowshoes. Each snowshoe has an area of 2500 cm2. Find the pressure on the snow.

a. 0.18 Pa
b. 0.36 Pa
c. 1800 Pa
d. 3600 Pa

Homework Equations

P=F/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried doing F/(2*(A))
A=2500cm²/100²cm² *1m²=.25
P=900/(2+.25)
P=1800

but the answer key says it it .18 instead

 

[technician]

You have done exactly the right thing.
The area of 1 shoe = 0.25m^2
so 2 shoes = 0.5m^2 BUT IN YOUR EQUATION you have written 2 + 0.25 ! should be 2 x 0.25
This will give P = 1800Pa. I think the answer 0.18 is wrong !

 

[Liquidxlax]

You have done exactly the right thing.
The area of 1 shoe = 0.25m^2
so 2 shoes = 0.5m^2 BUT IN YOUR EQUATION you have written 2 + 0.25 ! should be 2 x 0.25
This will give P = 1800Pa. I think the answer 0.18 is wrong !

yeah .18 is wrong for sure