Final answer:
To compare who climbed a steeper mountain, we can compare the ratios of vertical distance to horizontal distance climbed. Bob climbed a steeper mountain with a ratio of 0.9, while Joe's ratio is 0.8.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine who climbed a steeper mountain, we need to compare the ratios of the vertical distance climbed to the horizontal distance traveled for each climber. Joe climbed a mountain peak that was 1200 feet above its base and 1500 feet east of its base, while Bob climbed a mountain peak that was 900 feet above its base and 1000 feet east of its base.
For Joe, the ratio of vertical distance to horizontal distance is 1200/1500 = 0.8. For Bob, the ratio is 900/1000 = 0.9.
Comparing the ratios, we can see that Bob climbed a steeper mountain with a ratio of 0.9, while Joe's ratio is 0.8.