Mechanical Abilities · Study Guide
Mechanical Reasoning: Simple Machines
The Mechanical Abilities section tests your understanding of how simple machines work: gears, pulleys, levers, and more. 30 questions in 30 minutes, most with diagrams. Learn the core principles and you can reason through any variation.
1. Gears
Meshing gears turn opposite directions. The ratio is teeth on the driven gear divided by teeth on the driver. More teeth means slower rotation and more torque.
Example
A 20-tooth driver at 60 RPM meshes with a 40-tooth driven gear. How fast does the driven gear turn?
Ratio: 40 ÷ 20 = 2. The driven gear has twice the teeth, so it turns at half the speed.
Answer: 30 RPM, opposite the driver.
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