Question

if you apply an effort of 240 N to a simple machine with a mechanical advantage of 3 what out put force will the machine produce

Answer 1

Dear Student,
The first difference while lifting a load with a fixed pulley and with a movable pulley is the direction along which the force is applied. In a fixed pulley, the effort will be applied downwards to move the load upwards while in case of movable pulley the direction of effort will be upward for pulling the load up.
 
Also, the mechanical advantage (MA) is the factor by which the input force i.e., the effort is amplified be a mechanical tool. It is the ratio of output force (Load) to the input force (effort). 
MA of a fixed pulley = 1. i.e., the effort required to balance a load of 50kgf = Load / MA = 50 kgf (same as that of the load.
MA of a movable pulley = 2. i.e., the effort required to balance a load of 50kgf = Load / MA = 25 kgf (half as that of the load.

Regards,