Question

A section of a railway has a slope of approximately 0.47. In this section, a vertical change of 1 unit corresponds to a horizontal change of what length? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

Explanation:

A slope of 0.47 means that, for every 100 feet of horizontal change, the vertical rise = 47 feet

We can use a proportion here

0.47 / 1 = 1 / x

Cross-multiply

0.47x = 1*1

0.47x = 1

Divide both sides by 0.47

x = about 2.13 units