If you know the desired output force and the available supply pressure, which formula gives the necessary piston area?

If you know the desired output force and the available supply pressure, which formula gives the necessary piston area?

• A. A = F / P
• B. A = F × P
• C. A = P / F
• D. A = F + P

Answer: (A)

In hydraulics, output force comes from pressure acting over an area, described by F = P × A. To find the piston area when you know the desired force and the available pressure, you solve for A by rearranging the equation: A = F / P. This makes sense dimensionally: force divided by pressure gives an area. For example, if you want 1000 N of force and have 200 kPa of pressure, the needed area is 1000 / 200,000 = 0.005 m² (which is 50 cm²). Using other forms wouldn’t produce an area with correct units: multiplying F by P mixes units, dividing P by F yields a 1/area unit, and adding F and P combines incompatible quantities. The division approach directly links the knowns to the piston area you need.

In hydraulics, output force comes from pressure acting over an area, described by F = P × A. To find the piston area when you know the desired force and the available pressure, you solve for A by rearranging the equation: A = F / P. This makes sense dimensionally: force divided by pressure gives an area. For example, if you want 1000 N of force and have 200 kPa of pressure, the needed area is 1000 / 200,000 = 0.005 m² (which is 50 cm²). Using other forms wouldn’t produce an area with correct units: multiplying F by P mixes units, dividing P by F yields a 1/area unit, and adding F and P combines incompatible quantities. The division approach directly links the knowns to the piston area you need.