Scale Factor

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

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

Front

What does it mean for two shapes to be similar?

Back

Two shapes are similar if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size. Their corresponding angles are equal, and their corresponding sides are in proportion.

Front

If a shape is enlarged by a scale factor of 3, how does its area change?

Back

The area of the shape increases by a scale factor of 3², which is 9. This means the area becomes 9 times larger.

Front

If the scale factor from shape A to shape B is 2, what does this mean?

Back

It means that every dimension of shape A is multiplied by 2 to get the corresponding dimension in shape B.

Front

What is the scale factor if a rectangle's length increases from 4 cm to 8 cm?

Back

The scale factor is 2, because 8 cm is 2 times 4 cm.

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

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

Back

The scale factor is 2, as each side of the larger triangle is 2 times the corresponding side of the smaller triangle.

Front

If two angles are corresponding angles in similar shapes, what can we say about them?

Back

Corresponding angles in similar shapes are equal.

Front

What is the relationship between scale factor and corresponding sides in similar figures?

Back

The ratio of the lengths of corresponding sides in similar figures is equal to the scale factor.

Front

If a shape is reduced by a scale factor of 1/2, what happens to its dimensions?

Back

All dimensions of the shape are halved.