Answer:
0.80
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem we need to remember Newton's third law which states that: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".
In this case, we have two forces (Paul's and Tom's) that are interacting on each other. The third law tells us that the force they apply on each other have the same magnitude.
By Newton's second law we know that mass equals force multiplied by acceleration. (F = ma)
Therefore:
(Paul's mass)(Paul's acceleration) = (Tom's mass)(Tom's acceleration)
Paul's mass/ Tom's mass = Tom's acceleration / Paul's acceleration
But we know that Paul's acceleration is 1.25 times greater than Tom's acceleration. Substituting this we get:
Paul's mass / Tom's mass = 1 / 1.25 = 0.8
Thus, the ratio of Paul's mass to Tom's mass is 0.80
