Final answer:
The question involves the geometry and linear measurements for stair rail systems heights and how they relate to regulations and stair dimensions, which is used to calculate distances covered by individuals using stairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the specifications regarding the height of stair rail systems and handrails within stairwells. It distinguishes between the regulations for stairwells installed after March 15, 1991, which require the top edge of stair rails used as handrails to be 36 to 37 inches above the tread, and those installed before this date, which allow for heights of 30 to 34 inches. To comprehend the underlying mathematics, particularly to calculate distances a jogger covers along such stairs, one would apply knowledge related to linear measurements and apply this to practical situations, such as architecture and construction compliance.
According to the information given, a jogger ascending a flight of stairs with each step measuring 20 cm in width and 15 cm in height (step width is 20 cm and step height is 15 cm) would encounter a set of 200 steps. The total distance that the jogger covers is equivalent to the combined height and width traversed, which implies a horizontal distance of 200 steps times the width of each step, plus a vertical distance of 200 steps times the height of each step. Although the exact distance covered by the jogger along the stairs is not provided in the question, one could calculate it using the Pythagorean theorem if the diagonal distance of each step (the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle) were known.