Block and tackle in the line that either attach to or run through the moving blocks—in other words, the number of supporting rope sections. An ideal block and tackle with a moving block supported by "n" rope sections has the mechanical advantage (MA), where F is the hauling (or input) force and F is the load. Consider the set of pulleys that form the moving block and the parts of the rope that support this block. If there are "n" of these parts of the rope supporting the load "F," then a force balance on the moving block shows that the tension in
Ant on a rubber rope Ant on a rubber rope The ant on a rubber rope is a mathematical puzzle with a solution that appears counterintuitive or paradoxical. It is sometimes given as a worm, or inchworm, on a rubber or elastic band, but the principles of the puzzle remain the same. The details of the puzzle can vary, but a typical form is as follows: At first consideration it seems that the ant will never reach the end of the rope, but in fact it does. (In the form stated above, it would take 8.9 years.) Whatever the length of the rope and the