If a grade rises 86 feet over a horizontal distance of 277 feet, what is the percent of slope?

Study for the General Contractor License Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for success with our structured approach!

To find the percent of slope, you use the formula:

[

\text{Percent of slope} = \left( \frac{\text{Rise}}{\text{Run}} \right) \times 100

]

In this scenario, the rise is 86 feet and the run is 277 feet. Plugging these values into the formula gives:

[

\text{Percent of slope} = \left( \frac{86}{277} \right) \times 100

]

Calculating the fraction:

[

\frac{86}{277} \approx 0.3101

]

Now, multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage:

[

0.3101 \times 100 \approx 31.01%

]

Rounding this value, we find that the percent of slope is approximately 31%. Therefore, the correct answer is indeed 31%, which matches the choice you selected. This calculation underscores the importance of knowing how to compute slope in a construction context, as slopes can affect drainage, structural stability, and other engineering considerations on a project.