A 100 kg cart is raised up a 1 m step by being rolled up a plank of length L that has been laid from the lower level to the top level of the step. The net force on the cart, ignoring friction, is just where theta is the angle of the incline and F is the applied force in the -x direction.
L is the length of the incline.
The work is calculated from In the present case, the applied force is along the incline, which also defines the part of motion. Obviously, if we use a longer plank, the required force is smaller and it is 'easier' to get the job done. Still requires the same amount of work, though.