Magnitude of the Acceleration of an Elevator when it first begins to move

[xsorealx]

Homework Statement

A person stands on a bathroom scale in a motionless elevator. When the elevator begins to move, the scale briefly reads only 0.88 of the person's regular weight.

Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the elevator.

Homework Equations

w=mg
F=Ma

The Attempt at a Solution

Fn-Fg=ma
A=Fn-Fg/m
A=9.8-9.8/.88

I know that answer is definitely wrong because it can't be 0.

I am completely stuck on this problem, any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A person stands on a bathroom scale in a motionless elevator. When the elevator begins to move, the scale briefly reads only 0.88 of the person's regular weight.

Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the elevator.

Homework Equations

w=mg
F=Ma

The Attempt at a Solution

Fn-Fg=ma
A=Fn-Fg/m
A=9.8-9.8/.88

I know that answer is definitely wrong because it can't be 0.

I am completely stuck on this problem, any help would be appreciated, thanks!

xsorealx, welcome to PF!
Your algebra is off, and so is your calculation for the variables. It's $$a = (F_n - F_g)/m$$, where $$F_g = mg$$, and $$F_n$$ is the scale reading.