An advertiser needs a 4-inch picture of a 14 foot automobile. What is the scale factor? Write your answer in simplest form using a colon.
4":14'
= 4":(14*12)"
= 1:42
To calculate the scale factor, you need to determine the ratio between the length of the picture and the length of the automobile.
In this case, the length of the picture is given as 4 inches, and the length of the automobile is given as 14 feet.
To ensure that both measurements are in the same unit, convert the length of the automobile to inches. Since 1 foot equals 12 inches, multiply 14 feet by 12:
14 feet * 12 inches/foot = 168 inches
Now that both measurements are in inches, determine the scale factor by dividing the length of the picture by the length of the automobile:
Scale factor = Length of picture / Length of automobile
Scale factor = 4 inches / 168 inches
Simplify the ratio by canceling out common factors. In this case, both 4 and 168 can be divided by 4:
Scale factor = 1 inch / 42 inches
Therefore, the scale factor is 1:42.