Scale Factor & Scaled Copies

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 scaled copy is compared to the original.

Front

If the scale factor is 3, what does it mean for the dimensions of a shape?

Back

It means that each dimension of the shape is multiplied by 3 to create a scaled copy that is three times larger.

Front

What is a scaled copy?

Back

A scaled copy is a figure that is similar to the original figure but is either larger or smaller by a certain scale factor.

Front

How do you determine if two figures are scaled copies of each other?

Back

Two figures are scaled copies if their corresponding angles are equal and the lengths of their corresponding sides are proportional.

Front

If a triangle has sides of lengths 2, 3, and 4, what are the lengths of the sides of a scaled copy with a scale factor of 2?

Back

The sides of the scaled copy would be 4, 6, and 8.

Front

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

Back

If the scale factor is less than 1, the scaled copy is smaller than the original figure.

Front

What is the relationship between corresponding sides of similar figures?

Back

The ratios of the lengths of corresponding sides of similar figures are equal to the scale factor.

Front

If the original length is 10 units and the scale factor is 4, what is the new length?

Back

The new length would be 40 units (10 x 4).

Front

What is the scale factor if the original length is 15 units and the new length is 5 units?

Back

The scale factor is 1/3 (5/15).

Front

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

Back

Divide the length of a side of the scaled copy by the length of the corresponding side of the original figure.