Scale Factor

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to determine how much larger or smaller a figure is compared to another figure.

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 the larger figure by the length of the corresponding side of the smaller figure.

Front

If the scale factor is 1/2, what does that mean for the size of the new figure?

Back

It means the new figure is half the size of the original figure.

Front

What does it mean if the scale factor is greater than 1?

Back

If the scale factor is greater than 1, the new figure is an enlargement of the original figure.

Front

What does it mean if the scale factor is less than 1?

Back

If the scale factor is less than 1, the new figure is a reduction of the original figure.

Front

How do you calculate the actual distance using a scale on a map?

Back

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

Front

If a map has a scale of 1 inch = 42 miles, how far apart are two cities that are 3 inches apart on the map?

Back

The actual distance is 3 inches x 42 miles/inch = 126 miles.

Front

What is the scale factor from a triangle with sides 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm to a triangle with sides 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 2.

Front

If a drawing of a car is 2 cm long and the scale is 1 cm:5 ft, what is the actual length of the car?

Back

The actual length of the car is 2 cm x 5 ft/cm = 10 ft.

Front

What is the scale factor from a rectangle with dimensions 4 cm by 6 cm to a rectangle with dimensions 8 cm by 12 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 2.