American Motors: brakes, power stearing, power brakes

Question
Hello

 I started my car and the power brakes just gave out on me.  They can be depressed and the car will stop but just like when the power stearing gives out ,its hard to push on the pedal, has my master cylinder gone  or what?

Answer
You didn't say what kind of vehicle you have. Most have a vaccuum hose running to the brake booster from the engine. The booster is the large round thing the master cylinder is fastened to. I would check the hose and see if it is leaking vaccuum with the engine running. If it is, replace it. If not, you might have an internal failure of the booster. This would require replacement. Good luck.
Kevin