Understanding Scale Factor

This video tutorial explains the concept of scale factor and its application in solving problems involving similar figures. It provides examples using rectangles and triangles to find missing lengths by determining the scale factor. Additionally, it covers creating a scale model of a car, emphasizing the importance of unit conversion in maintaining accurate proportions.

What is a scale factor?

• A type of angle

• A constant multiple between similar figures

• A unit of length

• A measure of time

If two rectangles are similar and one side of the smaller rectangle is 2 units while the corresponding side of the larger rectangle is 6 units, what is the scale factor?

• 3

• 2

• 6

• 4

How do you find the missing length in similar rectangles?

• By subtracting the smaller side from the larger side

• By measuring the diagonal

• By using the scale factor on the corresponding side

• By adding the lengths of all sides

What is the ratio of the short side to the long side in a rectangle if the short side is 2 units and the long side is 4 units?

• 2:1

• 4:2

• 2:4

• 1:2

In similar triangles, if the short leg of the large triangle is 8 units and the long leg is 12 units, what is the ratio of the short leg to the long leg?

• 8:12

• 12:8

• 8:6

• 6:8

What is the scale factor from a large triangle to a small triangle if the large triangle's short leg is 12 units and the small triangle's short leg is 6 units?

• 1/3

• 2

• 3

• 1/2

How do you convert feet to inches?

• Multiply by 12

• Divide by 10

• Divide by 12

• Multiply by 10

If a car is 6 feet wide, how many inches wide is it?

• 72 inches

• 96 inches

• 84 inches

• 60 inches

What is the scale factor from an actual car to a model if the car is 72 inches wide and the model is 2 inches wide?

• 1/36

• 1/24

• 1/12

• 1/18

How long should a scale model be if the actual car is 144 inches long and the scale factor is 1/36?

• 2 inches

• 3 inches

• 4 inches

• 5 inches