A 65-kg petty thief wants to escape from a third-story jail window. Unfortunately, a makeshift rope made of sheets tied together can support a mass of only 57 kg. How might the thief use this "rope" to escape? Give a quantitative answer.
Okay, I'm COMPLETELY lost on this one. I have the following theories:
1. Eat less and work out until he loses 8 kg.
2. Use the rope to strangle the guards.
3. Trade the rope to a lighter thief for a stronger one that he can use.
Unfortunately, none of these have a quantitative answer. I'm THINKING this has something to do with force, since that's the chapter this problem is in, but I'm lost on how to go about this. Any help?