Answer: The work OUTPUT of a simple machine can never exceed the work INPUT because FRICTION uses some of the work.
Step-by-step explanation:
This concept is related to ideal machines and efficiency.
Only ideal machines can convert all the work input into useful work (work ouput).
The efficiency is a concept that tells you the proportion of input work that is transformed into output work.
Efficiency = (output work / input work) × 100
Ideal machines, those where friction does not exist, have a 100% efficiency, and so ideal machines convert all the input work into useful output work.
Real machines have a efficiency less than 100%. Friction lowers the efficiency and the work outpu is less than the work input, because friction uses work which is converted, mostly, into heat energy or sound energy.