Kim G.

asked • 02/15/18

scale factor

Im confused on scale factor. If I have a scale factor of 3 between 2 triangles A being the larger and B being the smaller. Then if they ask for scale from A to B it is 1/3. But, if I were to use the colon notation wouldn't that be 3:1 comparing the a side length of A to B? Or, am I not understanding the colon notation?
 

Edward A.

tutor
So, as Andrew M. said, you DO understand the colon notation. The confusion comes from your phrase “...if they ask for scale from A to B it is 1/3.”
if ”They” actually said those exact words, they used them wrong.
 
”scale from A to B” means ratio of A to B, in this case 3:1
Perhaps “They” intended to say “how do I get from A to B”. That’s an informal question, and the answer would be “multiply by 1/3”.
 
So YOU had it right , ”They” had it wrong.
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02/15/18

Kim G.

Thank you so much. I will adjust the assessment to read accurately. I took the assessment from a site that states it is field testing CCSS assessments. However, as I explained I was unclear if I was thinking it out correctly.  Thank you again.
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02/16/18

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