If a knife has a length of 10 and a width of 5, what is the MA of that knife?

Define mechanical advantage (MA) as the ratio of length to width for a wedge.
Substitute the given length (10) and width (5) into the formula: M A = Wi d t h L e n g t h ​ .
Calculate the mechanical advantage: M A = 5 10 ​ = 2 .
State the final answer: 2 ​ .

Explanation

Problem Analysis We are given a knife with a length of 10 and a width of 5. We need to find the mechanical advantage (MA) of the knife, assuming it acts as a wedge.

Formula for Mechanical Advantage The mechanical advantage (MA) of a wedge is defined as the ratio of its length to its width. Therefore, we have:


M A = Wi d t h L e n g t h ​

Substitute Values Substituting the given values, we get:

M A = 5 10 ​

Calculate MA Performing the division, we find:

M A = 2

Final Answer Therefore, the mechanical advantage of the knife is 2.

Examples
Understanding mechanical advantage is crucial in designing tools. For example, a longer wedge (like an axe) requires less force to split wood because it has a higher mechanical advantage. Similarly, knowing the MA helps in designing screws and inclined planes for various applications, making tasks easier by multiplying the applied force.

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-07