IXL | Scale drawings: scale factor word problems

Amy measured a house and its lot and made a scale drawing. She used the scale 9 centimeters = 1 meter. What is the drawing's scale factor?

Simplify your answer and write it as a ratio, using a colon.

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question

Deion drew a scale drawing of a summer camp. The scale of the drawing was 3 millimeters = 1 meter. What is the scale factor of the drawing?

Simplify your answer and write it as a ratio, using a colon.

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.

3 mm

1 m

First, convert the denominator to the same units as the numerator. Write an equivalent fraction with millimeters in the denominator. Since 1 meter is equal to 1,000 millimeters, multiply the denominator by 1,000 to get millimeters in the denominator.

3 mm

1 m

3 mm

1,000 mm

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

3 mm

1,000 mm

1,000

Write the scale factor as a ratio, using a colon.

1,000

→

3:1,000

The scale factor is 3:1,000.

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

II.1Compare and convert customary units of length

JJ.1Compare and convert metric units of length

G.4Scale drawings: word problems

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