The weight W that a horizontal beam can support varies inversely as the length L of the beam. Suppose that a 4-m beam can support 1000 kg. How many kilograms can a 17-m beam​ support?

Answer 1

W = k(1/L)
given: if L = 4m, W = 1000 kg
1000 = k(1/4)
k = 4000

so : W = 4000/L
if L = 17
W = 4000/17 = appr 235.29 kg

or

by ratio:
W1/W2 = L2/L1
1000/W2 = 17/4
17W2 = 4000
W2 = 4000/17 = 235.29 , as before