Scale factor is a type of number by which the size of a mathematical or geometrical figure can be changed with respect to the dimensions of the earlier figure. Scale factors are used to find the missing area, volume and length of the reduced shape or figure. It helps in changing the size of the figure and not the shape of it. For example, a square has a length of 5 units and a width of 2 units. If we increase the size of this square by 2 scale factors. The new length and width will be 10 and 4 units respectively.
Grade 7
Rates And Proportional Relationships
7.G.A.1
Teaching Scale Factor for Geometric Figures Easily
Scale Up: It means that a smaller figure is enlarged to a larger or bigger one. Whenever the size of a figure is increased, it is known as scale up.
Scale Down: It means that a larger figure is reduced to a smaller one. Whenever the size of a figure is decreased, it is known as scale down.
Here is an example to solve a problem on scale factor. Let’s look at the given example mentioned below to understand more about the scale factor.
Q. There are two rectangles. The dimension of the smaller rectangle is 20 units. And the length of the larger rectangle is 40 units. Find the scale factor.
Here is an example to solve a problem on scale factor. Let’s look at the given example mentioned below to understand more about the scale factor.
Q. There are two rectangles. The dimension of the smaller rectangle is 20 units. And the length of the larger rectangle is 40 units. Find the scale factor.