What is the formula for calculating mechanical advantage in a pulley system?

phrankle · May 11, 2009

http://www.getofftheinternet.net/pulley.png

How would you go about calculating the mechanical advantage of this pulley system?

Bob S · May 11, 2009

The tension of each rope supporting the weight of the load is the same. Divide the weight of the load by the number of ropes supporting it.

phrankle · May 11, 2009

Divide the weight of the load by the number of ropes supporting it? That doesn't seem right to me. I'm looking for a quick way to identify the Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) = output force / input force.

What is the formula for calculating mechanical advantage in a pulley system?

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