What type of simple machine is a pair of scissors primarily made up of?

A pair of scissors is primarily made up of levers. In this simple machine, the handles of the scissors act as lever arms, while the pivot point (or fulcrum) is located where the two blades are joined. When pressure is applied to the handles, they move in opposite directions, which allows the blades to come together and cut through various materials.

This lever action is efficient for cutting since the distance from the fulcrum to the handles provides a mechanical advantage, allowing a small force applied on the handles to result in a larger force at the blades. The design utilizes the properties of levers to effectively multiply force, which is essential for the function of scissors.