# Force Equilibrium

1. Nov 14, 2007

### Jtappan

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A house painter is standing on a uniform, horizontal platform that is held in equilibrium by two cables attached to supports on the roof. The painter has a mass of 72 kg and the mass of the platform is 19.7 kg. The distance from the left end of the platform to where the painter is standing is d = 2.2 m and the total length of the platform is 5.4 m.

(a) How large is the force exerted by the left-hand cable on the platform?
____ N

(b) How large is the force exerted by the right-hand cable?
____ N

2. Relevant equations
?????????

3. The attempt at a solution

How do you do this when there is two different points of rotation??

2. Nov 14, 2007

### steven10137

OK well firstly you need to draw a free body diagram with all the forces you are told and their distances.

You are aware of the formula;
$$\sum {M_{CW} } = \sum {M_{ACW} }$$
?

3. Nov 14, 2007

### Jtappan

what does this mean? the sum of ..masses?

4. Nov 14, 2007