math? I need help with geometry

Question

Felix drew a scale drawing of the high school. The scale of the drawing was 8 millimeters = 4 meters. What scale factor does the drawing use?

Answer 1

Angie

To find the scale factor change the units on the scale to the same (changing largest units to smallest).

Then divide the largest number by the smallest to get the scale factor.

So suppose the scale was 16 mm = 8 m.

m is larger than mm, so we change the 8m to mm.

1 m = 1000 mm (mm = millimetre = 1/1000 m).

So 8 m = 8 x 1000 = 8000 mm

So 16 mm on drawing ≡ 8000 mm in reality

So scale factor is 1 : (8000/16) = 1 : 500 (so one unit on your drawing corresponds to 500 units in reality).

Now using my method here, wotk out the scale factor for your problem !

Mike

Answer 2

Hi Angie T,

Start by expressing both sides in the same units

8 mm : 4 x 1000 mm,

8 mm : 4000 mm

now ignore the units and reduce both sides like you do when you do short division.

you should get 1 : 500 that is the scale factor.

If you need further clarification, please let me know.

If you, or someone you know, is looking for private tutoring in math or science, keep me in mind.

Mr. A (Frank Ansari)