Similar Figures and Scale Factor

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, a quantity. In geometry, it is the ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides of two similar figures.

Front

How do you find the scale factor between two similar figures?

Back

To find the scale factor, divide the length of a side of one figure by the length of the corresponding side of the other figure.

Front

If the scale factor is 12, what does this mean?

Back

It means that the dimensions of the second figure are 12 times larger than the dimensions of the first figure.

Front

If the scale factor is 1/4, what does this indicate about the two figures?

Back

It indicates that the dimensions of the second figure are one-fourth the size of the dimensions of the first figure.

Front

What is the relationship between the corresponding angles of similar figures?

Back

The corresponding angles of similar figures are always equal.

Front

If two figures are similar, what can be said about their corresponding sides?

Back

The corresponding sides of similar figures are in proportion.

Front

Find the missing side length x if the scale factor is 5 and one side of the smaller figure is 3. What is x?

Back

x = 3 * 5 = 15.

Front

Find the missing side length x if the scale factor is 1/4 and one side of the larger figure is 28. What is x?

Back

x = 28 * 1/4 = 7.

Front

If the scale factor from figure A to figure B is 2, and the length of a side in figure A is 6, what is the length of the corresponding side in figure B?

Back

The length of the corresponding side in figure B is 6 * 2 = 12.

Front

If the scale factor is 3, and the length of a side in figure B is 9, what is the length of the corresponding side in figure A?

Back

The length of the corresponding side in figure A is 9 / 3 = 3.