If Lindsey prefers to ski on a steeper hill, which should she choose, and why?

slope A desencend 15 evertical feet for evrry 24 horzintal feet
slope B descends 12 vertical feet for every 16 horizontal feet

Slope B because it has a smaller rate of change.

Slope B because it has a greater rate of change.

Slope A because it has a greater rate of change.

Slope A because it has a smaller rate of change.

1 answer

To determine which slope is steeper, we need to calculate the slope (or the rate of change) for both Slope A and Slope B.

Slope A:

  • Vertical change: 15 feet
  • Horizontal change: 24 feet

The slope (m) is calculated as: \[ m = \frac{\text{vertical change}}{\text{horizontal change}} = \frac{15}{24} = \frac{5}{8} \]

Slope B:

  • Vertical change: 12 feet
  • Horizontal change: 16 feet

Similarly, the slope for B is: \[ m = \frac{12}{16} = \frac{3}{4} \]

Now let's compare the two slopes:

  • Slope A = 5/8 = 0.625
  • Slope B = 3/4 = 0.75

Since 3/4 (or 0.75) is greater than 5/8 (or 0.625), Slope B is steeper than Slope A.

Therefore, the correct choice is:

Slope B because it has a greater rate of change.