Question

The maximum recommended slope of wheelchair ramp is 1/12. A business installs a wheelchair ramp that rises 22inches over a horizontal length of 24 feet .Is the ramp steeper than the recommended?

Answer 1

Given parameters:

Recommend wheelchari ramp slope  = $\frac{1}{12}$  

Rise of the new wheel chair ramp  = 22 inches

Horizontal length  = 24feet

Unknown:

Is the ramp steeper than the recommended  = ?

Slope is the ratio of rise to the horizontal distance covered

 Mathematically;

                 Slope = $\frac{Rise}{horizontal distance}$

Slope of the wheel chair ramp;

                covert 24 feet to inches;

        1 foot = 12 inches

        24 feet  = 24 x `12  = 288inches

Slope  = $\frac{22}{288 }$   = $\frac{11}{144}$

The two slopes being compared are;

               $\frac{1}{12}$  and $\frac{11}{144}$

The steeper of the first one 1/12. It has a higher slope compared to the second one.