Question

u5:04: unit 5 test
a section of an olympic downhill ski course falls 30m in a horizontal distance of 34m. what is the slope of this section of the course?
$\boldsymbol{-\frac{8}{17}}$
$\boldsymbol{-\frac{8}{15}}$
$\boldsymbol{-\frac{15}{17}}$
$\boldsymbol{-\frac{17}{15}}$

Explanation:

Step1: Define slope formula

Slope = $\frac{\text{Vertical change}}{\text{Horizontal change}}$

Step2: Assign values (fall = negative)

Vertical change = $-30$ m, Horizontal change = $34$ m

Step3: Simplify the fraction

$\frac{-30}{34} = -\frac{15}{17}$

Answer:

$-\frac{15}{17}$ (the third option)