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 determine the relationship between the dimensions of a scale drawing or model and the actual object.

Front

If a scale drawing has a scale of 1 cm = 5 m, how do you find the actual length from the drawing?

Back

Multiply the length in the drawing by the scale factor. For example, if the drawing is 2 cm long, the actual length is 2 cm * 5 m/cm = 10 m.

Front

How do you convert actual measurements to scale measurements?

Back

To convert actual measurements to scale measurements, divide the actual measurement by the scale factor. For example, if the actual length is 30 m and the scale is 1 cm = 10 m, the length in the drawing is 30 m / 10 m/cm = 3 cm.

Front

What is the scale of a drawing that represents 1 inch as 2 feet?

Back

The scale is 1 inch = 2 feet.

Front

If a model has a scale factor of 1:10, what does this mean?

Back

This means that every 1 unit of measurement on the model represents 10 units of the same measurement in reality.

Front

How do you find the length of a scale drawing if the actual length is known?

Back

Use the formula: Length in drawing = Actual length / Scale factor.

Front

What is the actual length of an object if a scale drawing shows it as 4 inches and the scale is 1 inch = 3 feet?

Back

The actual length is 4 inches * 3 feet/inch = 12 feet.

Front

If a drawing is 5 cm long and the scale is 1 cm = 4 m, what is the actual length?

Back

The actual length is 5 cm * 4 m/cm = 20 m.

Front

What is the purpose of using scale factors in drawings?

Back

Scale factors are used to create accurate representations of objects that are either too large or too small to be drawn at their actual size.

Front

How do you calculate the height of a model if the actual height is 15 feet and the scale is 1 inch = 3 feet?

Back

Convert the actual height to inches: 15 feet / 3 feet/inch = 5 inches.