Scale Diagrams Name: ______________

A diagram that is an ____________________ or a __________________

of another diagram is called a scale diagram.

The scale _______________ is the relationship between the matching lengths on the two
diagrams.

To find the scale factor of a scale diagram we divide:

length on scale diagram

Scale factor=
length on original diagram

If the scale factor is less than 1 then the scale diagram is a reduction.
If the scale factor is greater than 1 then the scale diagram is an enlargement.

Example#1 find the scale factor for the following diagrams:

Original size of moth is 3cm.

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Example #2: The original length of this house is 21m. On the scale diagram the length of the
house is 3cm. What is the scale factor?

Scale factors can also be written as a ratio. This is useful when using different units.
scale diagram :original

We could write the scale factor as _________________ or __________________.

Using scale factors to calculate an unknown side from a scale diagram

We can use cross multiplying to solve for any missing value if we know the scale factor.

Example3:

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Example 4:

Example 5:

Reducing and enlarging a diagram

Example 6:

You can multiply the scale factor by any

dimension on the original diagram to find out
the dimensions of the scale diagram.

For example:

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SCALE PROJECT- ENLARGEMENT OF A CANDY BAR

Overview of Project: You are going to enlarge a candy bar using a consistent scale factor to
create a scaled 2D diagram. It is helpful to create a scaled grid to copy the image.

Steps:
1) Take an empty candy bar wrapper.
2) Tape your wrapper to the grid provided and continue the lines. (use a ruler)
3) Determine the scale factor for your enlargement. Take the longest measurement of your
poster paper and divide by the longest measurement of your wrapper to make sure it will
fit. (Hint: select a scale factor that is a whole number it will be easier to measure- you
may wish to round down)
4) Trace a scaled up grid on your poster paper. (use a RULER and a PENCIL- so you can
erase the grid lines later)
5) Copy each box of the candy bar onto your enlargement poster.
6) Outline in marker so you can erase the grid lines.
7) Colour/paint the same as the original
8) Complete the MEASUREMENTS sections in the following pages to demonstrate your
learning.
9) Write your scale factor on the bottom corner of your poster.

MEASUREMENTS

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Scale used: ________________________ (e.g. 1cm = 3m)

Demonstrate that your candy bar poster is to scale. Measure three different parts of your candy
bar wrapper and enlargement and place the measurements in the table below. Show the
calculation and result for the scale factor.

Part of wrapper Original Enlarged Scale factor=

(lettering, picture, measurement measurement enlarged ¿ ¿ original ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
etc)

1.Copy the nutritional information from your original candy bar in the table below in the original
size column. There are extra spaces to put in other nutritional information if noted.

2. Calculate the nutritional value of your enlarged candy bar in direct proportion to the original
candy bar and record below.

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 Candy Bar Original size (include Scale factor Enlarged size
Information units) calculation
Calories

Total Fat

Cholesterol

Sodium

Carbohydrate

Sugars

Protein

Evaluation:

2 3 4 5
Calculations Does not include Calculates the correct Correctly calculates most Correctly calculates all
calculations or no proportion on at least proportions. Minor proportions. Shows work

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 calculations are correct. one occasions. Work mechanical errors or and includes all units
contains many forgets to include some
mechanical errors. units.

Scale Drawing Scale is not included or Includes a scale for Chose an appropriate Chose an appropriate
not appropriate for the drawing. scale for poster. scale for poster.
activity.
Many errors in Some minor errors in All dimensions are to
Scale was not used for measurement. Scale was measurement on the scale. Measurements
the enlargement. not used correctly enlarged or original match calculations.
throughout enlarged wrapper.
diagram.

Overall Lacks both organization Lacks some organization Organized drawing with Creative, neat, and
and required but includes most of the all required information. organized drawing with
presentation information. required information. all required information.
Overall appearance is
Enlargement is Enlargement is good. Overall appearance is
incomplete and messy in incomplete or details excellent.
appearance. could be improved.

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