What is how to find scale factor?

Finding the scale factor is essential when working with similar figures. Here's how you can determine it:

1. Identify Corresponding Sides: First, you need to identify the corresponding sides in the two similar figures. These are the sides that are in the same relative position in each figure.

2. Set up a Ratio: Once you've found corresponding sides, create a ratio using their lengths. It's important to put the sides in the same order each time. So, if you are comparing "new figure" to "original figure", consistently put the "new figure" side length in the numerator.

3. Calculate the Scale Factor: Divide the length of the side in the new figure by the length of the corresponding side in the original figure. The resulting number is the scale factor .

   • Scale Factor > 1: The new figure is larger than the original (an enlargement).
   • Scale Factor < 1: The new figure is smaller than the original (a reduction).
   • Scale Factor = 1: The figures are congruent (identical).

4. Verify: To ensure you've calculated the scale factor correctly, repeat the process with a different pair of corresponding sides. The scale factor should be the same for all corresponding sides. If it is not the same, the shapes aren't similar and there is no uniform scale factor.

Important Considerations:

• Make sure the measurements are in the same units before calculating the scale factor. Convert if necessary.
• Pay close attention to the order of the comparison (e.g., "new to original" vs. "original to new"). This will affect whether the scale factor represents enlargement or reduction.

Some important subjects and their links are below.

• Similar%20Figures
• Corresponding%20Sides
• Ratio
• Enlargement
• Reduction
• Congruent