Question

Two people pull as hard as they can on horizontal ropes attached to a boat that has a mass of 200 kg. If they pull in the same direction, the boat has an acceleration of 1.54 m/s^2 to the right. if they pull in opposite directions, the boat has an acceleration of 0.516 m/s^2 to the left. What is the magnitude of the force each person exerts on the boat? Disregard any other horizontal forces on the boat.
Smaller force-
Larger force-

Answer 1

f = m * a

L + S = 200 kg * 1.54 m/s^2

L - S = 200 kg * 0.516 m/s^2

solve the system for L and S