What are the advantages of simple machines ?

Simple machines are useful because they reduce effort or extend the ability of people to perform tasks beyond their normal capabilities.

Simple machines that are widely used include the wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, screw, wedge, and lever.

They can be used for the following:

• Increase the amount of force applied to an object.
• increase the distance and speed an object moves.
• Transfer a force from one place to another.
• Change the direction of a force.