If the velocity ratio of a machine is 4, what does it mean?

The velocity ratio of a machine is a concept used to explain how much the machine is expected to amplify the input motion. If the velocity ratio of a machine is 4, it means that the distance moved by the effort is 4 times greater than the distance moved by the load.

To understand this concept better, consider what a machine does: it allows you to apply a small effort over a longer distance to move a heavy load over a shorter distance. In this scenario, if the velocity ratio is 4, then for every 4 meters (or units of distance) you exert effort, the load will move 1 meter (or unit of distance).