A car on a 25-m2 hydraulic lift platform weighs 15,000 N. If the force on the smaller piston required to lift it is 1/100 its weight, what is the area of the smaller piston?

The area is 2.5 m²

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

A car has a 25 m² hydraulic lift platform that weighs 15000 N

The smaller piston required a force to lift = 1/100 its weight

Step 2: Calculate the area of the smaller piston

Pressure = Force / Area

F1 / A1 = F2 / A2

⇒ with F1 = weight of the hydraulic lift = 15000 N

⇒ with A1 = area of the hydraulic lift = 25 m²

⇒ with F2 = 1/100 of it's weight = 1500 N

A2 = F2 / (F1/A1)

A2 = 1500 (1500/25)

A2 = 2.5

The area is 2.5 m²