If length of ramp is 12 m and height is 3 m, what is the ramp advantage?

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Multiple Choice

If length of ramp is 12 m and height is 3 m, what is the ramp advantage?

An inclined plane’s mechanical advantage equals the ratio of its run (the length along the ramp) to its rise (the vertical height). Here, length is 12 m and height is 3 m, so ramp advantage = 12 / 3 = 4. This means the ramp makes moving a load up the incline about four times easier than lifting it straight up (ignoring friction). If the ramp were 6 m long, the advantage would be 2; if it were 9 m, it would be 3; if it were 15 m, it would be 5. With these values, the correct ramp advantage is four.

An inclined plane’s mechanical advantage equals the ratio of its run (the length along the ramp) to its rise (the vertical height). Here, length is 12 m and height is 3 m, so ramp advantage = 12 / 3 = 4. This means the ramp makes moving a load up the incline about four times easier than lifting it straight up (ignoring friction). If the ramp were 6 m long, the advantage would be 2; if it were 9 m, it would be 3; if it were 15 m, it would be 5. With these values, the correct ramp advantage is four.

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