Scale Drawings and Models Flashcards

Grade 7 · Math · Flashcards

Essential terms and formulas for understanding and creating scale drawings and models.

Flashcards

Scale drawing: A diagram where all measurements are proportionally reduced or enlarged from the actual object
Scale: The ratio of the drawing measurement to the actual measurement, e.g., 1 inch = 20 feet
Scale factor: A single ratio (drawing : actual) that tells how much smaller or larger the drawing is
Finding actual length: Actual length = drawing length × (actual units per drawing unit)
Finding drawing length: Drawing length = actual length ÷ (actual units per drawing unit)
Reduction: Scale factor less than 1; the drawing is smaller than the real object. Most maps and blueprints are reductions.
Enlargement: Scale factor greater than 1; the drawing is larger than the real object. Used in microscopy diagrams.
Scale 1:100 meaning: Every 1 unit in the drawing equals 100 units in real life
Proportion setup for scale: drawing measurement / scale drawing unit = actual measurement / scale actual unit
Map scale example: If 1 cm = 50 km and two cities are 3.5 cm apart, actual distance = 3.5 × 50 = 175 km
All dimensions scale equally: Length, width, and height all use the same scale factor to preserve shape and proportion
Scale model: A 3D physical representation built at a consistent scale ratio, like model cars, trains, or buildings