IXL | Scale drawings: scale factor word problems

Emmett measured an office building and made a scale drawing. The scale of the drawing was 1 inch = 1 foot. What is the scale factor of the drawing?

Simplify your answer and write it as a fraction.

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Meg made a scale drawing of a neighborhood park. The scale she used was 5 inches = 1 yard. What is the drawing's scale factor?

Simplify your answer and write it as a fraction.

key idea

A scale factor is a ratio. It should be written in lowest form and without units.

solution

Write the scale of the drawing as a fraction. Put the shorter length in the numerator.

5 in

1 yd

First, convert the denominator to the same units as the numerator. Write an equivalent fraction with inches in the denominator. Since 1 yard is equal to 36 inches, multiply the denominator by 36 to get inches in the denominator.

5 in

1 yd

5 in

36 in

Next, drop the units. The units will cancel out because the numerator and denominator are both measured in inches.

5 in

36 in

The scale factor is

Looking for more? Try this:

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	04

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

II.1Compare and convert customary units of length

JJ.1Compare and convert metric units of length

DD.2Scale drawings: word problems

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!