Scale Factor & Using 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 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

If the scale factor is 1:3, what does this mean?

Back

This means that for every 1 unit in the smaller shape, there are 3 units in the larger shape.

Front

What is the scale factor from a small rectangle to a large rectangle if the lengths are 2 cm and 6 cm respectively?

Back

The scale factor is 3 (6 cm ÷ 2 cm = 3).

Front

If a triangle has a scale factor of 2, how does its area change?

Back

The area of the triangle increases by a factor of 2² = 4.

Front

What is the scale factor from triangle ABC to triangle DEF if the sides are in the ratio 2:1?

Back

The scale factor is 2.

Front

If the scale factor is 1/2, how does the size of the shape change?

Back

The shape is reduced to half its original size.

Front

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

Back

The scale factor is 1/3.

Front

If a shape is enlarged by a scale factor of 4, what happens to its dimensions?

Back

Each dimension of the shape is multiplied by 4.

Front

How do you calculate a missing side using scale factor?

Back

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