Grade 6 Math: Scaling

Grade 6 Math: Scaling

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show your work where applicable.

1. A scale factor is a number that scales, or multiplies, some quantity. If a shape is enlarged, the scale factor will be   than 1.

2. If a shape is reduced, the scale factor will be   than 1.

3. If a rectangle has a length of 5 cm and a width of 3 cm, and you scale it by a factor of 2, the new length will be   cm and the new width will be   cm.

4. A photograph measures 4 inches by 6 inches. If you want to enlarge it by a scale factor of 3, what will be the new dimensions of the photograph?

5. A map has a scale where 1 cm represents 10 km. If two cities are 5 cm apart on the map, what is the actual distance between the cities?

6. Draw a square with sides of 2 units. Then, draw the same square scaled by a factor of 1.5. Label the side lengths of both squares.

7. If you scale a shape by a factor of 0.5, the new shape will be larger than the original.

8. A scale factor of 1 means the shape does not change size.

9. A model car is built with a scale factor of 1:24. If the actual car is 480 cm long, how long is the model car?

10. Consider a triangle with sides measuring 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm. If you want to reduce this triangle so that the longest side becomes 2.5 cm, what scale factor should you use? What will be the lengths of the other two sides?