Q 135 - Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities

Question

Carpenters use the term pitch to describe the steepness of staircases and roofs. How does pitch relate to slope? Investigate typical pitches used for stairs and for roofs. Write a brief essay on your findings.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The slope is the measurement of the rise of the roof to the run of the roof and is expressed as inches per foot in a ratio format.

The run is the measurement from the outside of one wall's top plate to a point directly below the center of the ridge .

Step 1. Given information

Carpenters use the term pitch to describe the steepness of staircases and roofs. How does pitch relate to slope? Investigate typical pitches used for stairs and for roofs. Write a brief essay on your findings.

Step 2. Relation between pitch and slope

The terms "pitch" and "slope" are often used interchangeably, they have two different meanings.

 The pitch is the measurement of the rise of the roof to the span of the roof and is expressed as a fraction.

The span of the roof is the distance from one wall's top plate to another wall's top plate stretching across the length of the roof.

The slope is the measurement of the rise of the roof to the run of the roof and is expressed as inches per foot in a ratio format.

The run is the measurement from the outside of one wall's top plate to a point directly below the center of the ridge.