Question

A ski lift carries people along a 220-meter cable up the side of a mountain. Riders are lifted a total of 110 meters in elevation. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the ski lift?

Answer 1

The ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) can be determined by the following equation:

 IMA= Input distance/Output distance

 The Input distance and Output distance are:

 Input distance=220 meters

 Output distance=110 meters

 When you substitute in the equation of the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA), you obtain:

 IMA= Input distance/Output distance

 IMA= 220 meters/110 meters

 IMA=2