The mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle is the input radius divided by the output radius:

MA = \( \frac{r_i}{r_o} \)

In this case, the input radius (where the effort force is being applied) is 3 and the output radius (where the resistance is being applied) is 4 for a mechanical advantage of \( \frac{3}{4} \) = 0.75

For any given surface, the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction. More force is required to initally get an object moving than is required to keep it moving. Additionally, static friction only arises in response to an attempt to move an object (overcome the normal force between it and the surface).

A second-class lever is used to increase force on an object in the same direction as the force is applied. This lever requires a smaller force to lift a larger load but the force must be applied over a greater distance. The fulcrum is placed at one end of the lever and mechanical advantage increases as the object being lifted is moved closer to the fulcrum or the length of the lever is increased. An example of a second-class lever is a wheelbarrow.

This problem describes a second-class lever and, for a second class lever, the effort force multiplied by the effort distance equals the resistance force multipied by the resistance distance: F_ed_e = F_rd_r. Plugging in the variables from this problem yields:

F_e x 3 ft. = 270 lbs x 0.5 ft
F_e = 135 ft-lb. / 3 ft 
F_e = 45 lbs

The mechanical advantage (MA) of an inclined plane is the effort distance divided by the resistance distance. In this case, the effort distance is the length of the ramp and the resistance distance is the height of the green box:

MA = \( \frac{d_e}{d_r} \) = \( \frac{15 ft.}{5 ft.} \) = 3