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Why are saw teeth considered wedges?

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A diagram displays six types of simple machines with labeled illustrations: inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, wheel and axle, and pulley, each shown with real-world examples like ramps, axes, screws, seesaws, door handles, and pulleys lifting objects. — simple machine Six simple machines for transforming energy into work.

A wedge is defined as a simple machine that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting or cutting materials.12

Saw teeth are considered wedges because each individual tooth functions as a small, sharp-edged blade that tapers to a point. When a saw is used, these teeth act as wedges that penetrate the material, exerting force to split or displace small portions of the workpiece as the blade moves. By concentrating force onto a narrow edge, the teeth effectively separate the material through a cutting action, which is the fundamental mechanical purpose of a wedge.13