Scale Factor and Scale Drawings

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to determine how much larger or smaller a scale drawing is compared to the actual object.

To calculate the actual distance, multiply the distance on the map by the scale factor. For example, if the map scale is 1 inch:100 miles and the distance on the map is 1 3/4 inches, the actual distance is 1.75 * 100 = 175 miles.

The perimeter is the sum of all sides: 10 + 12 + 14 = 36 inches.

The scale factor is 4, because 80 inches / 20 inches = 4.

A scale drawing represents an object or area at a specific ratio to its actual size, allowing for a smaller or larger representation.

The area is scaled down by the square of the scale factor. If the scale factor is 1/2, the area is reduced to (1/2)² = 1/4 of the original area.

The scale is 1 inch:5 feet.

The width in the drawing is 2 inches, because 6 feet / 3 feet per inch = 2 inches.

The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(length + width).

All dimensions of the shape are multiplied by 3, making it three times larger in each direction.