Gradient is a measurement of the steepness of the land or simply slope Formula Rise = Change in the Vertical Distance Run = Change in the Horizontal Distance

Gradient Calculating The Rise Find the elevation at B and subtract the elevation at A. This will give you the change in elevation if you were to walk from Point A to Point B.  Hence, B - A = 160 m - 40 m = 120 m. This is the Rise.

Gradient Calculating The Run  When you put your ruler down between Point A and B, there is a map distance of 6.7 cm. The scale is 1:30 000; therefore each centimetre on the map represents 0.3 km in reality.  Hence, the actual distance between Point A and B is 6.7 cm x 0.3 km = 2.01 km. This is the Run.

Gradient Expressed in 3 ways m/ km Percentage %, ratio

Gradient 1) Metres / km Rise = 120 m Run = 2.01 km = 60 m/km (Note: Typically in this course, you will round the m / km to the nearest whole number.) What this number simply means is that if you were to walk from Point A to Point B, for every kilometre that you traveled horizontally you would also be gaining 60 metres in elevation.

Gradient 2) Percentage Rise = 120 m  Run = 2.01 km Convert the bottom into kilometres. [Recall : 1 km = 1000 metres] Therefore, 2.01 km = 2010 metres. Rise = 120 m  Run = 2010 m Divide the numerator (top) by the denominator (bottom) and multiply by 100 to get a percentage. Rise = 120 m  Run = 2010 m x 100 = 6% (Note: Again, typically in this course, you will round the % to the nearest whole number.) Percentage is often used to express gradient on road signs which is critical information for truck drivers.

Gradient 3) Ratio Rise = 120 m Run = 2010 m Reduce the fraction by dividing the top and bottom by the top number. Rise = 120 m / 120 = 1 Run = 2010 m /120= 16.8  Express this reduced fraction as a ratio for your final answer. Therefore, 1:16.8 (Note: Typically in this course, you will round the ratio to the nearest first decimal.)

Gradient Gradient Handout

Gradient B - A Rise = (180-150)m_ = 30m = 26m/km Run (2.9cm*0.4)km 1.16km 30m = 30m * 100 = 3% 1.16km 1160m   30m ÷ 30 = 1 = 1:38.7 1160m 30 38.7

Gradient B - A Rise = (75-225)m_ = -150m = - 114 m /km Run (6.6cm*0.2)km 1.32km Note: The negative indicates that the slope is going downhill.   -150m = -150m * 100 = -11% or simply 11% 1.32km 1320m -150m ÷ 150 = -1 = -1:8.8 or simply 1:8.8 1320m 150 8.8 Note: The negative is typically left out for the % and ratio. Apply the negative though for the m/km.