How Do You Solve a Scale Model Problem Using a Scale Factor?

How Do You Solve a Scale Model Problem Using a Scale Factor?

Note:

This tutorial provides a great real world application of math! You'll see how to use the scale on a house blueprint to find the scale factor. Then, see how to use the scale factor and a measurement from the blueprint to find the measurement on the actual house! Check out this tutorial and see the usefulness blueprints and scale factor!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • skill
  • find missing measure
  • scale model
  • scale factor
  • blueprint
  • actual size

Background Tutorials

  • Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.

      • What's a Ratio?What's a Ratio?

      What's a Ratio?

      Ratios are everywhere! The scale on a map or blueprint is a ratio. Ingredients sometimes need to be mixed using ratios such as the ratio of water to cement mix when making cement. Watch this tutorial to learn about ratios. Then think of some ratios you've encountered before!

  • Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units; manipulate and transform units appropriately when multiplying or dividing quantities.

  • Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.

      • What is a Scale Drawing?What is a Scale Drawing?

      What is a Scale Drawing?

      Without a blueprint, it would be really hard to construct a building. Without a road map, you'd be lost! Scale drawings make it easy to see large things, like buildings and roads, on paper. Even a GPS uses scale drawings! Check out this tutorial to learn all about scale drawings.

  • Understand that a two-dimensional figure is similar to another if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of rotations, reflections, translations, and dilations; given two similar two-dimensional figures, describe a sequence that exhibits the similarity between them.

      • How Do You Find Missing Measurements of Similar Figures Using a Scale Factor?How Do You Find Missing Measurements of Similar Figures Using a Scale Factor?

      How Do You Find Missing Measurements of Similar Figures Using a Scale Factor?

      Looking at similar figures? Want to find a missing measurement on one of the figures? You could use a scale factor to solve! In this tutorial, learn how to create a ratio of corresponding sides with known length and use the ratio to find the scale factor. Then, write an equation using the scale factor to find your missing measurement!

      • How Do You Find a Scale Factor in Similar Figures?How Do You Find a Scale Factor in Similar Figures?

      How Do You Find a Scale Factor in Similar Figures?

      Have similar figures? Want to find the scale factor? Then check out this tutorial! You'll see how to use measurements from similar figures to create a ratio and find the scale factor.

Further Exploration

  • Use proportional relationships to solve multistep ratio and percent problems.

      • How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Proportion?How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Proportion?

      How Do You Solve a Word Problem Using a Proportion?

      This tutorial provides a great real world application of math. You'll see how to use the scale from a blueprint of a house to help find the actual height of the house. This tutorial shows you how to use a proportion to solve!