To calculate the acceleration in the given system, consider the forces acting on each block. When in an accelerating elevator, the weight reading on a scale changes due to the additional acceleration. Specifically, if the elevator accelerates upward with acceleration a, the scale will read m(g + a). By analyzing the forces on the blocks and the effects of the elevator's acceleration, one can derive the system's overall acceleration. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for accurate calculations in physics problems involving pulleys and elevators.