If an architect wants to draw a plan for a house that is 75 feet by 80 feet, and his paper is 10 inches by 17 inches, what is the best scale factor for him to use?
Answer options with 5 options
A.
1 inch equals 20 feet
B.
1 inch equals 8 feet
C.
1 inch equals 5 feet
D.
1 inch equals 75 feet
E.
1 inch equals 80 feet
To determine the best scale factor, we need to find a ratio where the measurements of the paper can accommodate the measurements of the house.
The longest side of the house is 80 feet, which would require 80 * 12 = <<80*12=960>>960 inches on the paper.
Given that the longest side of the paper is only 17 inches, it is clear that a scale factor greater than 1 inch equals 80 feet will be needed to fit the entire house on the paper.
A scale factor of 1 inch equals 20 feet, option A, would allow for a length of 17 * 20 = 340 inches on the paper, which is enough to accommodate the 960 inches needed for the house.
Therefore, option A, 1 inch equals 20 feet, is the best scale factor for the architect to use.