Slope is a fraction that is defined as a comparison between the change in elevation for every unit of change in distance. The slope is often represented as a pitch, which uses the units of degrees to express the change in elevation with respect to the origin of the slope. This calculation is commonly carried out in architecture and mechanical engineering to determine the rate of change in things such as the pitch of a roof. This calculation is convenient because it is often difficult to survey a pitch in degrees, whereas a slope can be created by simply comparing rise over run.
Instructions
-
-
1
Create a fraction that represents the slope. A slope fraction is composed of a numerator equal to the change in height and a denominator equal to the change in distance.
-
2
Divide the numerator by the denominator. This yields, in most cases, a decimal representation of the slope.
-
-
3
Take the arc tangent of the decimal number. The arc tangent is most commonly represented on scientific calculators as "Atan" or "Tan-1." The result of this calculation is the angle generated by the slope and therefore the pitch, in degrees, associated with that slope.