A staging that weighs Wstaging supports a painter weighing 620 N. The reading on the left scale is 660 N and the reading on the right scale is 410 N. What is the weight of the staging? Answer in units of N

Answer 1

Make a free body diagram of the staging.

Sum forces acting on the staging, and the total should be zero.

Upward (reaction) forces=660+410=1070 N
Downward forces = 620 N + W
Sum to zero
620+W=660+410
W=660+410-620
=450 N.