Question

7. A light inextensible string passes over a smooth pulley and carries masses 4 kg and 3 kg at its ends. The masses are released from rest, calculate: (a) their acceleration; (b) their speed after 3 seconds. [Take g = 10 ms⁻²]

Accepted Answer

Weights: 3kg → 30N, 4kg → 40N. Since the 4kg mass is heavier, it accelerates downward.
For the 3kg mass: T-30=3a. For the 4kg mass: 40-T=4a. Adding: 10=7a, so a = 10/7 ≈ 1.43 ms⁻².
(b) v = u+at = 0+1.43(3) = 4.29 ms⁻¹.

WAEC Further Mathematics 2025 Theory — Question 7

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