Scale Factor &

Scale Drawings
 Understanding Scales
All scale drawings must have a scale written on
them. Scales are usually expressed as ratios.
Normally for maps and buildings the ratio:
Drawing length: Actual length

For maps the ratio is normally in the ratio:

Map distance: Actual Distance

Example: 1cm : 100cm

The ratio 1cm:100cm means that for every 1cm on the scale
drawing the length will be 100cm in real life

Example: 1:10000

The ratio 1:10000 means that the real distance is 10000

times the length of one unit on the map or drawing.
Scale Factor
 How to find Scale Factor
 When a figure is dilated, its size is changed by multiplying the length of
each side by a scale factor.  All angles remain the same and so the
new shape (or image) is similar to the original.
 Can be found by dividing a new side length by the original side length.
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑇𝑜
𝑂𝑙𝑑 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚
• When going from a small shape to a larger shape the scale factor is
greater than 1. (Enlargement)
  𝐵𝑖𝑔
𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒
•When going from a large shape to a smaller shape the scale factor is
•less than 1. (Reduction)  
𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒
𝐵𝑖𝑔
1. Determine the corresponding side lengths.
2. Determine if you are making a larger shape or a smaller shape.
3. Determine if the scale factor is greater than or less than 1.
4. Write the correct ratio.
 Scale Factor
Scale factor = new measurement
old measurement
new
Old measurement x SF = new measurement
SF old

- Scale factor more than 1 => shape gets bigger

(Enlargement)
- Scale factor less than 1 => shape gets smaller
(Reduction)
- Congruent shapes are similar shapes with SF = 1
 Vocabulary
scale model
scale factor
scale
scale drawing
The scale can be written as a
scale factor, which is the ratio of
the length or size of the drawing
or model to the length of the
corresponding side or part on the
actual object.

Scale Factor needs to be the

SAME UNITS!
This HO gauge model train is a
scale model of a historic train. A
scale model is a proportional
model of a three-dimensional
object. Its dimensions are related
to the dimensions of the actual
object by a ratio called the scale
factor. The scale factor of an HO
1
gauge model train is 87 .

1
This means that each dimension of the model is
87
of the corresponding dimension of the actual
train.
A scale is the ratio between
two sets of measurements.
Scales can use the same units
or different units. The
photograph shows a scale
drawing of the model train.

A scale drawing is a proportional

drawing of an object. Both scale drawings
and scale models can be smaller or larger
than the objects they represent.
If you have ever seen Jurassic
Park, you saw how big the
dinosaurs were compared to the
people. Pretend that they made
a large Human to watch over the
animals. What would be the scale
factor if a 64 inch person was
made to be 160 feet?
 The scale factor tells you
how many times bigger than
“normal” that person really is.
You must make all units of
measure the same….

64 inches 64 inches 64 inches

= =
160 feet 160 x 12 1920 inches
Now take the:
64 inches
1920 inches And simplify

1/30 inches

This means that the person

was created 30 times his
normal size.
Scale Factor

The scale factor

of the pool is
1” to 20 yards.
  

Or

=
Setting up Proportions

Keep like
units in Inches = yards
the same Inches yards
fraction.
Remember…
There is more than
one way to set up
a proportion
correctly!
Cross Multiply!
Use common
sense!
Write a Proportion
Using Scale Factor
 Tom is drawing a blueprint for a rectangular
shed he wants to build. The scale factor is 1
ft. to ¼ inch. If the dimensions of the
blueprint are 1 ¼ in. by 2 inches, what are
the actual dimensions of the shed going to
be?
 Write a Proportion
Using a Scale Factor
¾ inch to 1 foot

If the length in inches is 2

¼ inch, what would the
actual length be in feet ?
Scale Drawings
 What are scale drawings?
Scale drawings are everywhere!

Scale
Drawings

Vehicle
design
On
Maps

Footprints of
houses

Can you think of any more?

Scale in everyday life: kitchen design

6cm
Scale 1 cm = 1 m
Length of units = 6 m
5
Scale in everyday life: maps

Scale 1 : 1 000 000

Scale in everyday life: plans

decking

pool path

Scale 2 cm = 1 m

7
 Using A Scale Drawing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When objects are too small or too large to be drawn or constructed at actual
size, people use a scale drawing or a model.

The scale drawing of this tree is 1:500

If the height of the tree on paper is 20 inches, what is the height of the tree in real life?
The scale is the relationship between the
measurements of the drawing or model to
the measurements of the object.

In real-life, the length of this van may

measure 240 inches. However, the length
of a copy or print paper that you could use
to draw this van is a little bit less than 12
inches
 Map Scales
Map Scales (Legends) are
used to find distances on a
map.
For example, if your map
legend tells you that ½ of
an inch represents 50 miles,
how could you find the
mileage for a 2 inch
distance on the map?
 Map Scales
Ratios and proportions can be used to find distances
using a scale.

Example:
1 inch = 15 miles
The distance from Jacksonville to Smithtown
on a map is 4 inches. How many miles are
between these1cities?
in. = 4 in
15 mi. n The distance
1n 60 between the two
= n = 60 cities is 60