Mechanical advantage is resistance force divided by effort force:

MA = \( \frac{F_r}{F_e} \) = \( \frac{240 lbs.}{60 lbs.} \) = 4

Hydraulics is the transmission of force through the use of liquids. Liquids are especially suited for transferring force in complex machines because they compress very little and can occupy very small spaces. Hydraulic pressure is calculated by dividing force by the area over which it is applied: P = F/A where F is force in pounds, A is area in square inches, and the resulting pressure is in pounds per square inch (psi).

Power is the rate at which work is done, P = w/t, or work per unit time. The watt (W) is the unit for power and is equal to 1 joule (or newton-meter) per second. Horsepower (hp) is another familiar unit of power used primarily for rating internal combustion engines. 1 hp equals 746 watts.

The mechanical advantage (MA) of a wedge is its length divided by its thickness:

MA = \( \frac{l}{t} \) = \( \frac{8 in.}{4 in.} \) = 2

The mechanical advantage (MA) of an inclined plane is the effort distance divided by the resistance distance. In order to increase mechanical advantage, this ratio must increase which means making the effort distance longer and this can be accomplished by lengthening the length of the ramp.