1. Section 1

1.8. Explore 3

Mathematics 20-3 Module 3

Section 1: Slope—Physical Objects

 

In Try This 2 you drew a line on the staircase sketch to clearly see the total distance travelled. The line was angled because it had to show the total horizontal and vertical distance travelled. The following image describes this angled line as the slope of the staircase.

 

This illustration shows a set of stairs with a red line (the slope) joining the edges of the steps.

 

Did You Know?


François Blondel, a seventeenth-century architect from France, proposed dimensions for the ideal staircase. This measurement was twice the rise plus the run, to equal 620 mm, which Blondel determined was the average length of a person’s normal walking stride.

In the image, the red line representing slope is made up of the horizontal distance (the run) and the total vertical distance (the rise) the line travels. This is the definition of slope.

 



textbook

Read page 12 in MathWorks 11.

 

Did You Know?


There are several notations for slope. In most countries where English is the dominant language, m is the most common symbol used to represent slope. In Sweden, slope is represented by k, which stands for the word koefficient (coefficient). In both France and the Netherlands, a is used to denote slope.

As you read through “Explore the Math,” think about the following questions:

  • What other words mean the same as slope?
  • What is the slope formula?
  • What letter is used to represent slope?
  • What does the Greek symbol “Δ” mean?

An understanding of slope is very important for a contractor who builds and designs houses. As you read “Math on the Job” on page 12 of the textbook, think about the following questions:

  • What do the 1 and the 4 represent in a slope of ?

  • What are the consequences for Gilles and the homeowners if Gilles does not follow the building codes?

Self-Check 1

 

This is a play button that opens Slope Questions.

So far, you have learned what slope is, how slope is determined, and some safety concerns associated with slope. Test yourself with Slope Questions to see how much you remember.



glossary

It is time to add new math terms, definitions, and examples/notes to your Mathematics 20-3: Glossary Terms document. Complete the missing pieces of the document, and save it to your desktop. Note that some terms, definitions, and examples/notes have already been provided in the document.

 

In this lesson the new terms you will add are the following:

  • rise
  • run
  • slope