Question 1:
Billy (mass m = 30 kg) goes to the zoo. He stands 10 m away from an elephant (mass M = 1800 kg). How far is the center of mass of the (Billy + elephant) system away from Billy?
Answer: Use a coordinate system with origin at Billy. m*x1 + M*x2 X (center of mass) = ---------------- (m + M) (30 kg)*(0 m) + (1800 kg)*(10 m) = --------------------------------- (30 kg + 1800 kg) = 9.84 m away from Billy
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