Problems(1)
The three masses shown in the accompanying diagram are equal. The pulleys are small, the string is lightweight, and friction is negligible. Assuming the system is in equilibrium, what is the ratio a/b? The figure is not drawn to scale!
[asy]
size(250);
dotfactor=10;
dot((0,0));
dot((15,0));
draw((-3,0)--(25,0),dashed);
draw((0,0)--(0,3),dashed);
draw((15,0)--(15,3),dashed);
draw((0,0)--(0,-15));
draw((15,0)--(15,-10));
filldraw(circle((0,-16),1),lightgray);
filldraw(circle((15,-11),1),lightgray);
draw((0,0)--(4,-4));
filldraw(circle((4.707,-4.707),1),lightgray);
draw((15,0)--(5.62,-4.29));
draw((0.5,3)--(14.5,3),Arrows(size=5));
label(scale(1.2)*"a",(7.5,3),1.5*N);
draw((2.707,-4.707)--(25,-4.707),dashed);
draw((25,-0.5)--(25,-4.2),Arrows(size=5));
label(scale(1.2)*"b",(25,-2.35),1.5*E);
[/asy]
(A) 1/2
(B) 1
(C) 3
(D) 2
(E) 23 2010Problem 11