Braingle: '1st, 2nd, or 3rd' Riddle

1st, 2nd, or 3rd

Riddles are little poems or phrases that pose a question that needs answering. Riddles frequently rhyme, but this is not a requirement.

Puzzle ID:	#12259
Fun:	(2.3)
Difficulty:	(3.01)
Category:	Riddle
Submitted By:	ejasami
Corrected By:	cnmne

Although we are one, we are ranked into three
We basically help you in the same way you'll see
First, second, or third is not the order we finish
Moving a part on us causes our advantage to diminish.
What are we?

Answer

Levers. First, second, and third are the classes of levers based on the position of the fulcrum, input force, and load. Moving of one of these factors on the lever can increase or decrease the mechanical advantage of the lever.
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Comments

l-slenda Jun 02, 2003	wot!!!!!!!!!!!!! xx
maingle-_- Oct 30, 2006	hmmm, haven't done much mechanics.
leftclick Jan 23, 2007	Very difficult - I didn't work it out - well done! I didn't know about the three classes of levers but they are there on wikipedia with examples. You learn something every day
Creamy_Suga Oct 03, 2007	really had me confues here!!