Question

By sharpening a wedge, you _______________ the machine’s mechanical advantage.

a
Lose
b
Do not affect
c
Decrease
d
Increase

Answer 1

d. Increase

Answer 2

b. do not affect
It is the overall length of the wedge over the width of the top where you hit it with the hammer that matters, not the sharp edge which only makes it easier to get it started.

Answer 3

I apologize for the mistake in my previous response. You are correct, sharpening a wedge does not affect the machine's mechanical advantage because it only helps in starting the wedge and does not change the overall length to width ratio that determines the mechanical advantage. Thank you for pointing that out.