How does the use of simple machines affect force and distance when work is done?

Machines simply make work easier to do. They increase the amount of force exerted on a body and also the distance through which the force is applied. Also, they can also change the direction through which force on them is applied in order to produce much more work.

Work done = force x distance

The input force in a machine is attenuated to yield even more force. This is the purpose of designing a simple machine. When the force increases, more work would be produce with our little effort applied on the body.

Work done is a function of the force applied on a body and the distance through which it moves.