SOLUTION: peter needs to measure the slope of a cone shaped pile of sand.the vertical distance from the piles peak to its base is 2.5 meters. and the horizontal distance from its peak to its

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: peter needs to measure the slope of a cone shaped pile of sand.the vertical distance from the piles peak to its base is 2.5 meters. and the horizontal distance from its peak to its      Log On


   

Question 932422: peter needs to measure the slope of a cone shaped pile of sand.the vertical distance from the piles peak to its base is 2.5 meters. and the horizontal distance from its peak to its edge is 5 meters. what is the slope of the pile of sand
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The three points of peak, center of bottom, any point on edge of bottom, form a right triangle.

x, radius of the bottom
y, height from center of bottom to peak
h, the hypotenuse using legs x and y

What is really wanted is the ratio y%2Fx.

x%5E2%2By%5E2=h%5E2, and only x is unknown.
x=sqrt%28h%5E2-y%5E2%29
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SLOPE is highlight%28y%2Fsqrt%28h%5E2-y%5E2%29%29.
Substitute for y=2.5 and h=5.