Ratio and scale

Lesson 2

Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Aims/Learning outcomes:
Understand that scale is the same as ratio.
Direct proportion is applied to scale
Work out dimensions from scale drawings
and models
Scale up or down, using direct proportion
Apply these skills in everyday situations
i.e a plan or a map.
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

What is scale?
Architects make models of buildings.
Models are 3-D representations of objects.
People use maps so as not to get lost. Maps
Are flat 2-D representations of a plan view
of an area.
When we make a scale copy of an object, the
original and the copy have the same
proportions.
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Ratio and models

A model of a dinosaur has a scale of 1:12
This means that for every 1cm of the
model the real life size is 12cm
The head on the dinosaur
model is 8 cm in length.
How long is the head of the
real dinosaur?
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Some general rules

All the real measurements are multiplied or
divided by the scale factor
Are you going from scale drawing or from
life size? Bigger or smaller
Smaller

Model/Plan

Janis Oliver 2010

Bigger
Life size
N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

The model of the dinosaur is 1:12

This means that for every 1 cm of the model
the real skeleton measures 12cm
8cm on the model = 8 x 12 in real life
8 x 12 = 96
The head of the real dinosaur is 96 cms

Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Test yourself
Below are two measurements of a the real car.
1.32m

3.7m

A model is made using a scale of 1:10

What is the length of the model?

37cms

What is the height of the model

13.2cms

Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Scale drawings
Here is a plan of a garden
1.5cm

shed

2.5cm greenhouse
Scale 1:125

7cm

6cm
patio

9cm

Find the actual length of the patio, shed & garden.

Find the actual width of the greenhouse & garden
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Some general rules

All the real measurements are multiplied or
divided by the scale factor
Are you going from scale drawing or from
life size? Bigger or smaller

Smaller
Model/Plan
Janis Oliver 2010

Bigger
Life size
N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Scale and maps

Maps are made to scale. In each case, the
scale represents the ratio of a distance on the
map to the actual distance on the ground. ...

Scale is what makes map drawing possible.

Every map has a scale printed on the front and you
should always check this ...
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Scale and maps

Below is a map of Oldham the scale is 2 : 200,000
Tip 1000m = 1km

You want to go to Oldham mumps.

This measures 3 cms on the map.
How far is the actual distance ?
For every 2 cms on the map it is 200,000
cms in real life. Cancel down 1:100,000
3 x 100,000 = 300,000
Convert to km 300,000 100,000 = 3km
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Test yourself
A map of the Cotswolds. Scale 1inch = 4 miles
You travel from Swindon
to Tewkesbury.
The distance is 42 miles,
what is the measure on
the map?
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Group work
Working in groups complete your activity
and your worksheets
Discuss your methods and your
conclusions

Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Worksheet answers
7.5m long 5m wide
48 cm
1 ft (18 inches)
4m long
20cm
20km divided by 100,000 = 20
0.47m
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10

Session summary
What does a scale of 1 : 60 represent?
If I am going from a drawing to actual
size would I divide or multiply?
Give me some examples where you would
See and use scale?
A scale model or drawing has exactly the same
shape as the original object, and all the same
proportions, but a different overall size.
Janis Oliver 2010

N1/L1.7 N1/L2.3 MSS1/L1.11 MSS1/L2.10