Torque equilibrium on a diving board

Steps:

• Position supports with P inner (near wall) and Q outer (near end R); person starts at R, distance L from P, moves toward Q, reducing distance d from P.
• Sum vertical forces: F_P + F_Q = Mg (person's weight).
• Torque about P: Mg * d (clockwise) = F_Q * distance_PQ (counterclockwise), so F_Q = (Mg * d) / distance_PQ.
• As d decreases, F_Q decreases; thus F_P = Mg - F_Q increases.

Why A is correct:

• Torque balance shows F_Q inversely proportional to proximity to Q, decreasing as person nears Q while F_P rises to maintain total force equilibrium.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Both decreasing sums to less than Mg, violating vertical equilibrium.
• C: Q increasing implies person moving away from Q, contradicting the motion toward Q.
• D: Both increasing exceeds Mg, impossible for equilibrium.

Final answer: A