How Do You Calculate the Center of Mass for a Composite Shape?

[kerbyjonsonjr]

Homework Statement

What is the x and y coordinates of the center of mass for the uniform steel plate shown in the figure ?

Homework Equations

x=1/M $$\sum$$ x dm

The Attempt at a Solution

I am not really sure how to being this one. Mass isn't given so I am not sure where to start. I feel like this will be really easy to do but I am just not sure how to begin it. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[PhanthomJay]

You won't need the mass, it will cancel out.

You didn't attach a figure.

Please show an attempt at a solution using your knowledge of your relevant equation. Look at each axis separately, and choose convenient ones as reference axes.

 

[ideasrule]

Here are two helpful tips:

1. The center of mass equation is linear. This means that once you find the center of mass of an object, you can treat the object as a point mass located at its center of mass.

2. For this question, it's easier to consider the object as a square combined with another square of negative mass.