Need help with calculating gradient!! (1 Viewer)

[Jessa100]

I have a geography skills test coming up and am starting to practise however I am having trouble with gradient. If anoyone can help me with this I will be tremendously grateful!! How do you calculate the gradient on a topographic map and convert it into a 1:x ratio?? Thanks

 

[s_bilgrami89]

Calculate the difference in height between the two points, then calculate the difference in length between the 2 points and divide.
So lets say you have a rise of 100m and a run of 1000m. It means the gradient is 100/1000, but the numerator must be 1 so that would equate to 1/10, or 1:10. It means that for every 10m you travel, the height goes up by 1m. Also make sure the rise and run are in the same units.

 

[Jessa100]

thanks so much - i understand now! your explanatiton makes more sense than my teacher

 

[Beachtraveller]

Just a hint - the answer works out better if you calculate it as run over rise.