Scale Factor
Scale factors are important in everyday life. We often need to look at an overview of something (example: house plan or map) in order to determine the best way forward. In order to recreate smaller versions of large objects, we need to first determine a scale factor so that we are able to "shrink" the larger object proportionally. On the other hand, sometimes we use models of large areas, such as in city planning or miniature models of airplanes because you need to see how everything fits together before investing millions of dollars. You would then use a scale factor to enlarge the dimensions of the miniature in order to construct the actual object or move forward with the plan.
An example of a scale factor on a map could be 1cm = 50km
An example of a scale factor on a housing blueprint could be 1 inch = 10 feet
An example of a scale factor for a city planning model could be 5cm = 100 meters
Scale factors vary, but you use the same scale factor for everything when comparing the miniature to the enlarged version, regardless of which one is the actual-sized object.
An example of a scale factor on a map could be 1cm = 50km
An example of a scale factor on a housing blueprint could be 1 inch = 10 feet
An example of a scale factor for a city planning model could be 5cm = 100 meters
Scale factors vary, but you use the same scale factor for everything when comparing the miniature to the enlarged version, regardless of which one is the actual-sized object.
Let's use Similar Polygons to get some practiceThe term "similar" is used to describe two shapes that have the same angles and have sides that are proportional to each other. That is to say that each side is multiplied or divided by the same scale factor to achieve a shape that is smaller or larger than the original, but proportianally identical.
Uncover the value for the missing sides & determine the scale factor |
More practice with similar polygonsHousing Blue PrintWe can use the scale factor to determine the actual dimensions of the rooms in real life, given the dimensions of the rooms on the blue-print. For example, if ½ inch = 3 feet, then what are the dimensions of the study in real life?
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