Types of Scale Factor
There are two main types of Scale factor:
- Up Scale or Enlargement Scale Factor
- Down Scale or Reduction Scale Factor
Let’s discuss these types in detail as follows:
Up Scale or Enlargement Scale Factor
The enlargement scale factor is a number greater than 1, indicating an increase in size or expansion of the original figure. When the scale factor is greater than 1, each dimension of the original figure is multiplied by this factor to obtain the corresponding dimension in the enlarged figure. This will result in a larger version of the original shape.
Enlargement Scale Factor = Dimensions of Enlarged Shape/Dimension of Original Shape
Down Scale or Reduction Scale Factor
The reduction scale factor is a number between 0 and 1, signifying a decrease in size or a shrinking of the original figure. With a reduction scale factor, each dimension of the original figure is multiplied by a fraction or a decimal less than 1 to get the corresponding dimension in the reduced figure. This will lead to a smaller version of the original shape.
Reduction Scale Factor = Dimensions of Reduced Shape/Dimension of Original Shape
Scale Factor | Definition, Formula, Meaning, Types, and Examples
A scale factor represents the ratio of corresponding sides between two similar shapes. For example, a scale factor of 3 means that the new shape is three times larger than the original. Conversely, a scale factor of one-third indicates that the new shape is one-third the size of the original.
Scale Factor is a numerical representation that describes the proportional relationship between the corresponding dimensions of an original figure and its resized version. It quantifies the degree of enlargement or reduction in size during geometric transformations, aiding in precise adjustments.
In this article, we have covered the meaning of scale factor, its formula, types of scale factor — upscale and downscale, methods to find scale factor in different geometry shapes and applications of the scale factor.
Table of Content
- What is the Scale Factor?
- Scale Factor Meaning
- Scale Factor Symbol
- Scale Factor Formula
- Types of Scale Factor
- Up Scale or Enlargement Scale Factor
- Down Scale or Reduction Scale Factor
- How to Find the Scale Factor
- Scale Factor of Triangle
- Scale Factor of a Circle
- Scale Factor of a Rectangle
- Scale Factor of Other Figures
- Applications of Scale Factor
- Scale Factor Examples
- Praactice Questions on Scale Factor
- Summary – Scale Factor