Scale Factors and Similar Figures

Front

What is a scale factor?

Back

A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. It is used to determine how much a figure is enlarged or reduced.

Front

If a scale factor is greater than 1, what type of transformation occurs?

Back

Enlargement.

Front

If a scale factor is less than 1, what type of transformation occurs?

Back

Reduction.

Front

What is the scale factor if a rectangle is reduced from a length of 20 to 15?

Back

Scale factor = 15/20 = 0.75.

Front

What is the scale factor if a rectangle is enlarged from a length of 10 to 25?

Back

Scale factor = 25/10 = 2.5.

Front

How do you find the new dimensions of a figure when given a scale factor?

Back

Multiply each dimension of the original figure by the scale factor.

Front

What is the relationship between similar figures?

Back

Similar figures have the same shape but may differ in size. Their corresponding angles are equal, and their corresponding sides are in proportion.

Front

If two rectangles are similar and the scale factor is 1/2, what happens to the area?

Back

The area of the smaller rectangle is 1/4 of the area of the larger rectangle.

Front

What is the scale factor if a figure is enlarged from a width of 5 to a width of 15?

Back

Scale factor = 15/5 = 3.

Front

What does a scale factor of 0.5 indicate?

Back

It indicates a reduction of the figure to half its original size.