Definition:Mechanical Advantage

Definition

Let $M$ be a machine.

The mechanical advantage of $M$ is defined as the ratio of the load on $M$ to the effort applied to $M$.

That is, the mechanical advantage of $M$ is the (reactive) force exerted by $M$ divided by the (active) force exerted on $M$.

Thus when $M$ is in equilibrium:

$\mathrm {MA} = \dfrac L E$

where:

$L$ denotes the load on $M$

$E$ denotes the effort applied to $M$.

Also see

• Definition:Velocity Ratio

• Results about mechanical advantage can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): lever
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): machine
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): mechanical advantage
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): lever
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): machine
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): mechanical advantage