A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In general, they can be defined as the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called ...

When you push or pull with a simple machine, you are applying a force and doing work. And, if you get more force out of a machine than you put into it, then that machine has a mechanical advantage.

Simplified machine designs with fewer components run more efficiently and are less expensive to build. Older mechanical power transmission and actuator technologies, such as chain, rack and pinion and ...