Background Paragraph: For an inclined plane, the input distance is the length of the sloping surface, and the output distance is the maximum height of the inclined plane. This was illustrated in Figure above . Because the sloping surface is always greater than the height of the inclined plane, the ideal mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is always greater than 1. An inclined plane with a longer sloping surface relative to its height has a gentler slope. An inclined plane with a gentler slope has a greater mechanical advantage and requires less input force to move an object to a higher elevation. 
Story: Martin is moving and he needs to make a ramp so he can load heavy furniture into his truck. He has a bad back, so he wants to use the least effort possible. Before he cuts the wood, he is trying to decide how long the ramp should be so he can move the heavy furniture easily.
If Martin builds a ramp with a very gentle slope will he need to exert more or less effort? If Martin builds a ramp with a very steep slope will he need to exert more or less effort? If Martin has enough materials for a long ramp will he need to exert a higher amount of effort or lower amount of effort? If Martin only has enough materials for a short ramp will he need to exert a higher amount of effort or lower amount of effort? If the ramp Martin built requires a high amount of effort to move an object is it long or short? If the ramp Martin built requires little effort to move an object is the slope steep or gentle? If the ramp Martin built requires very little effort to move an object is it long or short? Should martin build a long or short ramp? Will martin get more or less mechanical advantage if he builds a long ramp? Will martin get more or less mechanical advantage if he builds a short ramp?