To determine the vertical to horizontal ratio best suited to a ladder, we need to compare the offered options by expressing each as a ratio.
### Option a)
1 foot vertical to 2 feet horizontal:
- The vertical to horizontal ratio is \(\( \frac{1}{2} = 0.5 \)\)
### Option b)
1 meter vertical to 3 meters horizontal:
- The vertical to horizontal ratio is \(\( \frac{1}{3} \approx 0.333 \)\)
### Option c)
1 foot horizontal to 4 feet vertical:
- This needs to be converted to a vertical to horizontal ratio:
- The original ratio is 1 foot horizontal to 4 feet vertical, the vertical to horizontal ratio (inverting it) would be \(\( \frac{4}{1} = 4 \)\)
### Option d)
1 meter horizontal to 5 meters vertical:
- Similar to option c, we need to convert it to a vertical to horizontal ratio:
- The original ratio is 1 meter horizontal to 5 meters vertical, the vertical to horizontal ratio (inverting it) would be \(\( \frac{5}{1} = 5 \)\)
Now that we have all the ratios:
- Option a) \(\( 0.5 \)\)
- Option b) \(\( 0.333 \)\)
- Option c) \(\( 4 \)\)
- Option d) \(\( 5 \)\)
Ladders are generally safer and more stable at a more moderate angle, usually between 0.25 (1:4) and 0.5 (1:2). In the given choices, the most suitable vertical to horizontal ratio for a ladder, which is neither too steep nor too shallow, is:
### Option a)
1 foot vertical to 2 feet horizontal or \(\( 0.5 \)\).
This ratio keeps the ladder stable and safe, adhering to the typical ladder setup recommendations.
