- #1
Kam Jam
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Homework Statement
"Combining the x-direction conditions in Equations 1 and 2, please show that $$sin ∝ = \frac {m_1 + m_2} {2M}$$"
The two equations below are describing two different setups of an inclined-plane system with a block of mass M attached to a hanging mass of ##m_1## in setup 1 and a higher ##m_2## in setup 2.
Homework Equations
Equation 1 = $$m_1g + f - Mgsin∝ = 0$$
Equation 2 = $$m_2g - f - Mgsin∝ = 0$$
The Attempt at a Solution
For a similar problem, I was able to set the two equations equal to one another and isolate the needed variable. I attempted to do the same, like so $$m_1g + f - Mgsin∝ = m_2g -f - Mgsin∝$$
With this method, I couldn't find any algebraic method which would allow me to add the masses; in order to put ##m_1## and ##m_2## together in any way, I'd have to subtract one from the other. I similarly couldn't cancel ##f##. The best I could do resulted in either ##2f## or ##-2f##.
I'd appreciate any help or guidance to a better solution.