Final answer:
To calculate the mechanical advantage of a lever, divide the effort arm length by the load arm length. With an effort arm of 15 meters and load arm of 5 meters, the mechanical advantage is 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanical advantage (MA) of a lever can be calculated using the ratio of the distance from the effort to the fulcrum (the effort arm) and the distance from the load to the fulcrum (the load arm or resistance arm). By applying the formula MA = Le / Lr, where Le is the effort arm and Lr is the resistance arm, we can determine the mechanical advantage.
In this case, the effort force is 15 meters from the fulcrum and the load force is 5 meters from the fulcrum. Thus, the mechanical advantage is calculated as MA = 15m / 5m = 3.
Therefore, the mechanical advantage of the lever is 3.