1) Simple machines include the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. They make work easier by transferring force, increasing applied force, or changing the direction or distance of force.
2) A machine multiplies the input force (effort force) to increase the output force. Mechanical advantage is the ratio of output to input force. No machine is 100% efficient.
3) Compound and complex machines combine two or more simple machines to further multiply force or change the direction and distance of force applied.