To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for d_a, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

d_a = \( \frac{R_bd_b}{R_a} \) = \( \frac{70 lbs. \times 9 ft.}{60 lbs.} \) = \( \frac{630 ft⋅lb}{60 lbs.} \) = 10.5 ft.

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 12 and the output radius (where the resistance is being applied) is 7 for a mechanical advantage of \( \frac{12}{7} \) = 1.71

MA = \( \frac{load}{effort} \) so effort = \( \frac{load}{MA} \) = \( \frac{35 lbs.}{1.71} \) = 20.47 lbs.

Mass is an intrinsic property of matter and does not vary. Weight is the force exerted on the mass of an object due to gravity and a specific case of Newton's Second Law of Motion. Replace force with weight and acceleration with acceleration due to gravity on Earth (g) and the result is the formula for weight: W = mg or, substituting for g, weight equals mass multiplied by 9.8 m/s².

An inclined plane is a simple machine that reduces the force needed to raise an object to a certain height. Work equals force x distance and, by increasing the distance that the object travels, an inclined plane reduces the force necessary to raise it to a particular height. In this case, the mechanical advantage is to make the task easier. An example of an inclined plane is a ramp.

This problem describes an inclined plane and, for an inclined plane, 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 17 ft. = 350 lbs. x 5 ft.
F_e = \( \frac{1750 ft⋅lb}{17 ft.} \) = 102.9 lbs.