what is the scale factor

Question

A model car is made using a scale of 1 1/3 inches represents 8 feet. What is the scale factor?

A 1/6

B 1/72

C 3/32

D 1/12

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer O.,

The scale factor (which is less than 1) is (1 1/3 in)/(8 ft). But this has inches over feet (in/ft) and we need the dimensions the same, either (in/in) or (ft/ft). 8 ft is easier to convert to inches, than 1 1/3 inches is to convert to feet. So 8 ft = 96 in and we can replace 8 ft with 96 in.

(1 1/3 in)/(8 ft) = (1 1/3 in)/(96 in) = 1/72 the scale factor.

I hope this helps, Joe.