To determine the pressure in pounds per square inch (lb/in²) that the boy is applying to the scale, follow these steps:
1. Find the Boy's Weight: The weight of the boy is given as 76.4 pounds.
2. Determine the Area Covered by His Feet: The area covered by his feet is stated as 16.9 square inches.
3. Calculate the Pressure: Pressure is defined as the force (weight) divided by the area over which this force is applied. The formula for pressure is:
[tex]\[
\text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Weight}}{\text{Area}}
\][/tex]
Plug in the given values:
[tex]\[
\text{Pressure} = \frac{76.4\ \text{lb}}{16.9\ \text{in}^2}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Pressure} \approx 4.520710059171598
\][/tex]
4. Round to the Second Decimal Place: To match the required precision, round the pressure to the second decimal place:
[tex]\[
\text{Pressure} \approx 4.52
\][/tex]
Therefore, the pressure that the boy is applying to the scale is 4.52 lb/in².
