Scale Factors & Scale Drawings

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to determine the ratio of the dimensions of a scale drawing to the actual object.

Front

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

Back

To find the scale factor, divide the length of a side of the larger shape by the length of the corresponding side of the smaller shape.

Front

What is a scale drawing?

Back

A scale drawing is a representation of an object that is enlarged or reduced in size, maintaining the same proportions as the original.

Front

If a scale drawing has a scale of 1 inch = 50 feet, how many feet does 3 inches represent?

Back

150 feet (3 inches x 50 feet/inch = 150 feet).

Front

What is the scale factor from a small square with a side length of 2 cm to a larger square with a side length of 8 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 4 (8 cm / 2 cm = 4).

Front

If the scale factor from triangle ABC to triangle DEF is 2/1, what does this mean?

Back

It means that triangle DEF is twice the size of triangle ABC.

Front

How do you calculate the actual distance using a scale?

Back

Multiply the distance on the map by the scale factor to find the actual distance.

Front

What is the scale factor from a large rectangle with a length of 10 cm to a smaller rectangle with a length of 5 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 1/2 (5 cm / 10 cm = 1/2).

Front

If a drawing of a building is made to a scale of 1:100, what does this mean?

Back

It means that 1 unit on the drawing represents 100 units in real life.

Front

What is the scale factor from a small triangle with a height of 3 cm to a larger triangle with a height of 9 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 3 (9 cm / 3 cm = 3).