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Slope Distance Formula:
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The slope distance formula calculates the actual distance along a sloped surface from the horizontal run and the angle of inclination. It is commonly used in surveying, construction, and engineering applications.
The calculator uses the slope distance formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula converts the horizontal run to the actual sloped distance by accounting for the angle of inclination using trigonometric principles.
Details: Accurate slope distance calculation is essential for construction planning, road design, surveying measurements, and determining actual material requirements for sloped surfaces.
Tips: Enter the horizontal run in meters and the angle of inclination in degrees (0-89.9°). Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why use cosine in the formula?
A: Cosine relates the adjacent side (run) to the hypotenuse (slope distance) in a right triangle, making it the appropriate trigonometric function for this calculation.
Q2: What angle range is valid for this calculation?
A: Angles between 0° (horizontal) and 89.9° (nearly vertical) are valid. At 90°, the cosine becomes zero and the formula becomes undefined.
Q3: How does slope distance differ from horizontal distance?
A: Horizontal distance is the straight-line measurement on a flat plane, while slope distance is the actual length along the inclined surface.
Q4: When would I need to calculate slope distance?
A: This calculation is needed in construction (roofing, ramps), surveying, hiking trail planning, and any application involving sloped surfaces.
Q5: Can this formula be used for elevation calculations?
A: For elevation (rise) calculations, you would use the sine function: Rise = Slope Distance × sin(Angle).