Scale Factors

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to enlarge or reduce figures in geometry.

Front

If a shape is enlarged by a scale factor of 3, what happens to its dimensions?

Back

Each dimension of the shape is multiplied by 3, making the shape three times larger.

Front

What is the scale factor from a small fry to a large fry if the large fry is 3 times bigger?

Back

3

Front

Sara enlarged her shape by a scale factor of 4. If the original width was 8 cm, what is the new width?

Back

32 cm (8 cm x 4 = 32 cm).

Front

A rectangular garden is 45 ft wide and 70 ft long. If the width on a blueprint is 9 in, what is the scale factor?

Back

The scale factor is 1/5 (9 in is 1/5 of 45 ft).

Front

If a shape has a scale factor of 2, what is the new area compared to the original area?

Back

The new area is 4 times the original area (since area scales by the square of the scale factor).

Front

What is the scale factor if a shape is reduced from 10 cm to 5 cm?

Back

1/2

Front

If the scale factor is 4, and the original length is 12 cm, what is the new length?

Back

48 cm (12 cm x 4 = 48 cm).

Front

How do you find the missing side of a shape when given a scale factor?

Back

Multiply the known side by the scale factor to find the missing side.

Front

What is the scale factor if a blueprint shows a length of 14 in for a garden that is 70 ft long?

Back

1/5 (14 in is 1/5 of 70 ft).