mechanical advantage – the advantage gained by the use of a tool in transmitting force

To remember the meaning of mechanical advantage, use the following mnemonic:

The mechanic had all the advantages (mechanical advantage) because she had the use of tools in transmitting force (use of tools in transmitting force).

Mechanical advantage is a ratio of load over effort. 

`\text{M.A} = \text{Load (N)}/\text{Effort (N)} or \text{Output force (N)}/\text{Input force (N)} `

Load = what goes out          Effort = what effort goes in

To remember that mechanical advantage is load over effort and not effort over load always remember the simplest mechanical advantage example with the use of levers. 

Remember the scenario of a long lever or crowbar which allows a small effort to lift a heavy load. 

Which is the correct mechanical advantage?

If a 100N force moves a 200N force the mechanical advantage = 2, this means the lever can multiply your efforts by a factor of 2. 

Remember this and you will always know that:

`\text{M.A} = \text{Load}/\text{Effort} = 200/100 = 2`