A ski lift carries people along a 220-meter cable up the side of a mountain. Riders are lifted a total of 110 meters in elevation. What is the idea mechanical advantage of the ski lift?

The ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) can be determined by the following equation:

IMA = Input distance/Output distance

The Input distance and Output distance are:

Input distance=220 meters

Output distance=110 meters

When you substitute in the equation of the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA), you obtain:

IMA = Input distance/Output distance

IMA = 220 meters/110 meters

IMA=2