In this problem, we need to solve for Bubba’s mass. To do this, we let A be the area of the raft and set the weight of the displaced fluid with the raft alone as ρwAd1g and ρwAd2g with the person on the raft, where ρw is the density of water, d1 = 7cm, and d2= 8.4 cm. Set the weight of displaced fluid equal to the weight of the floating objects to eliminate A and ρw then solve for m.
ρwAd1g = Mg
ρwAd2g = (M + m) g
d2∕d1 = (M + m)/g
m = [(d2∕d1)-1] M = [(8.4 cm/7.0 cm) - 1] (600 kg) =120 kg
This means that Bubba’s mass is 120 kg.