Scale Factors Worksheets

What Are Scale Factors? Scale factor helps us define the enlargement of the shape or a quantity. We define the position of the shape from the location of the center of enlargement. This center of enlargement is present either outside the shape or within it. We can also define the scale factor in terms of similar geometric shapes. Two geometric shapes are similar if the corresponding sides are proportional and corresponding angles are equal. The scale factor can also be defined as the ratio of corresponding sides of a geometric figure. For finding out the scale factor, we will have to place the corresponding sides of both figures one on each other. Then, we will have to write the ratio of the one length to the other length and estimate the scale factor. For example, if the scale factor of one figure to the other is 1.6:3.2, or 1:2. That means that for one-unit length of one figure, there are two unit lengths of the other figure. When finding out the scale factor, notice two things about scale factor: If you start finding out the scale factor from the smaller figure, you will get a scale factor less than one. If you start with the larger shape, you will get a scale factor greater than one. The scale factor from the first figure to second is always reciprocal of the scale factor from second to first.