What is the IMA of a machine with an actual mechanical advantage (AMA) of 90%?

The ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a machine is a measure of the machine's efficiency in changing the input force to the output force under ideal circumstances, without considering losses such as friction or other inefficiencies. The actual mechanical advantage (AMA) reflects the real-world performance of the machine.

In this context, if you know the AMA and the efficiency of the machine, the relationship between these factors can help calculate the IMA. The formula connecting IMA, AMA, and efficiency is based on the understanding that the IMA is derived from the actual performance (AMA) adjusted for the efficiency of the machine. This adjustment is achieved by dividing the AMA by the efficiency (expressed as a decimal).

For instance, if the AMA is 90% of the input force, this reflects actual performance. To find the IMA, which indicates how much the machine would ideally amplify the force under perfect conditions, you need to account for the real-world factor of efficiency. Hence, dividing the AMA by the efficiency allows you to isolate the ideal performance from the realistic figures, which clarifies the mechanical advantages.

In situations where efficiency is not 100%, this method reliably delivers the IMA, reflecting the theoretical performance without losses. This understanding highlights why the approach