A Ramp

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October 24th 2009, 01:27 AM
MathBane

A Ramp

The question:

Suppose a ramp is used to move a heavy object into a van. Suppose also that the van door is 18 inches off the ground.

(a) If the bottom of the ramp rests on the ground 3 feet from the van, what is the slope of the ramp? (Round your answer to two decimal places.)

6 in/ft (I've answered this already... says its right.)

(b) If the ramp cannot have a slope of more than 1.3 inches per foot, how far from the van should the ramp rest? (Round your answer to two decimal places.)

____ ft

I don't understand what it means... I got 11.53, but that's wrong.
October 24th 2009, 01:42 AM
Gusbob

Which part did you not understand?

Using the concept that slope = $\frac{rise}{run}$

We can substitute our given values for slope (1.3 in/ft) and rise (18 inches) to find distance from van (x feet):

$1.3 = \frac{18}{x}$

$x = \frac{18}{1.3} \approx 13.846$ feet
October 24th 2009, 02:07 AM
MathBane

Oh... I completely forgot to manipulate the formula. Silly me. Thanks for your help.