Question

Each step of the stairs leading from room 9 to room 107 in the Academy Building
has a vertical rise of 7 inches and a horizontal run of 12 inches. Each step of the
marble staircase leading to the Assembly Hall has a vertical rise of 5.5 inches and
a horizontal run of 13 inches.

Answer 1

rest of the problem:

a. Which flight of stairs do you think is steeper? Why?
b. Calculate the ratio of rise/run for each flight of stairs, and verify that the
greater ratio belongs to the flight you thought to be steeper.

Answer 2

a) "steepness" is the ratio of rise/run. just looking at the numbers at a glance, you'll notice one of them has a greater rise and a lower run, which will result in a greater slope. which one is it?

for b), you'll want to divide rise/run for both stairs, determine their slopes, and confirm what you said in part a)