Output divided by input = __________________________ ?

• A. Actual Mechanical Advantage
• B. Ideal Mechanical Advantage
• C. Velocity Ratio
• D. Efficiency

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how a rope-and-pulley setup multiplies force. Output divided by input is the actual mechanical advantage—the real ratio of the load you can lift (output force) to the force you must apply (input force). This reflects real conditions, including friction, rope friction, and system inefficiencies, so the ratio is typically less than the ideal case.

Ideal mechanical advantage (theoretical) would assume no losses, so it matches the velocity ratio (the distance you move the effort compared to how far the load moves). Efficiency ties into this by comparing useful output work to input work; it equals AMA divided by VR (or AMA divided by IMA in some formulations). But the direct output-to-input ratio in real practice is the actual mechanical advantage.