A uniform thin metal plate of mass 10 kg with dimensions is shown. The ratio of x and y coordinates of center of mass of plate in 9n.The value of n is ____.
Answer: 15
Solution
Treat the plate as the full rectangle (mass m3=12 units for area 6) built from the notched plate (given m1=10kg, area 5) plus the missing square (mass m2=2, area 1) at its centre (1.5,1.5). Using m1x1+m2x2=m3x3: 10x1+2(1.5)=12(1.5)⇒x1=1.5cm. Using m1y1+m2y2=m3y3: 10y1+2(1.5)=12(1)⇒y1=0.9cm. y1x1=0.91.5=915=9n⇒n=15.