The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane can be calculated by which of the following ratios?

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is fundamentally concerned with how much easier the inclined plane makes it to lift a load compared to lifting it straight up. The correct ratio for this calculation is the length of the inclined plane divided by the height of the plane.

When using an inclined plane, the longer its length relative to its height, the less effort is required to move an object up the slope. This is because the inclined plane allows for the load to be lifted over a longer distance with less force, increasing the mechanical advantage. Thus, having a longer ramp for a given height enables the user to exert less force (effort) than would be required to lift the load vertically.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the concept of mechanical advantage in the context of an inclined plane. For example, the ratio of height to base or length to width does not provide a clear indication of the effort needed compared to the load. Similarly, the load to effort is more of a descriptive measure rather than a specific calculation of mechanical advantage based on the physical characteristics of the inclined plane itself.