In site grading, slope is expressed as a percent. Which term best describes this measurement?

In site grading, slope is expressed as a percent. Which term best describes this measurement?

• A. Degrees
• B. Radians
• C. Ratio
• D. Percent

Answer: (D)

Understanding slope as a percent means you’re looking at how much vertical change occurs per horizontal distance, expressed as (rise/run) × 100. When the value is given with a percent sign, the proper term to describe it is percent. Degrees and radians are angle measures, not how steep a surface is in percentage terms, and a rise/run ratio is a valid way to express slope, but once it’s stated as a percentage, the description that fits is percent. For example, a 3% slope means a rise of 3 units for every 100 units of horizontal distance, which is a common way to specify grade in site grading for drainage and shaping the surface.

Understanding slope as a percent means you’re looking at how much vertical change occurs per horizontal distance, expressed as (rise/run) × 100. When the value is given with a percent sign, the proper term to describe it is percent. Degrees and radians are angle measures, not how steep a surface is in percentage terms, and a rise/run ratio is a valid way to express slope, but once it’s stated as a percentage, the description that fits is percent. For example, a 3% slope means a rise of 3 units for every 100 units of horizontal distance, which is a common way to specify grade in site grading for drainage and shaping the surface.