Question

A 50 kg person steps on a scale while holding a 5 kg cat. What does the scale read in pounds? (Assume 1 pound equals 4.5 N

Answer 1

Total weight:

$$W=(M+m)g=(50+5)9.8=539 N.$$

The scale reads:

$$W= \frac{539}{4.5}=120 pounds.$$