Four identical discs each of mass 'M' and diameter 'a' are arranged in a small plane as shown in figure. If the moment of inertia of the system about OO′ is 4xMa2. Then, the value of x will be _____.
Answer: 3
Solution
Each disc has radius 2a. The two discs whose centres lie on the axis OO′ rotate about an in-plane diameter and contribute 41M(2a)2=16Ma2 each. The other two discs have centres a distance 2a from OO′, so by the parallel-axis theorem each contributes 41M(2a)2+M(2a)2=165Ma2. Summing the four, I=2⋅16Ma2+2⋅165Ma2=1612Ma2=43Ma2, so x=3.