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Meaning & use

scale factor

noun·Academicmathematics

Last updated

UK/ˈskeɪl ˌfæktə/
US/ˈskeɪl ˌfæktər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablemathematics

    The number by which every length of a shape is multiplied to make a larger or smaller copy of it.

    Grammar: Often followed by of and a number: a scale factor of 3.

    Patterns

    • a scale factor of something
    • enlarge by a scale factor of two

    The triangle was enlarged by a scale factor of 3.

    A scale factor of one half makes the shape smaller.

    Find the scale factor between the two similar rectangles.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    The ratio between the size on a map, plan or model and the real size of the thing it shows.

    Grammar: Used with maps and models: the scale factor of the plan.

    Patterns

    • the scale factor of a model

    The architect used a scale factor of 1 to 50 on the drawings.

    The model has a scale factor of one to one hundred.

    Check the scale factor before you measure the distance on the map.

Word forms

pluralscale factors

Common combinations

scale factor of
They used a scale factor of 4 to enlarge the picture.
find the scale factor
Find the scale factor from the small triangle to the big one.
enlarge by a scale factor
Enlarge the shape by a scale factor of two.
constant scale factor
A constant scale factor keeps the shape the same.
apply a scale factor
Apply the scale factor to every side.

Synonyms and how they differ

ratio
Ratio is a general comparison of two quantities, whereas scale factor is a ratio used specifically to resize shapes.
multiplier
Multiplier is a general number used to multiply, while scale factor is tied to similar shapes and models.
scaling
Scaling is the process of resizing, not the number itself.

Word family

scale noun
a ratio used in maps and models
scale verb
to enlarge or reduce proportionally
scaled adjective
made larger or smaller to a ratio
scalable adjective
able to be resized or expanded

Commonly confused: scale factor or scale model?

scale factor vs scale model

A scale model is a smaller copy of a real object, while a scale factor is the number used to size it.

Practice

A rectangle with a width of 4 cm is enlarged to a width of 12 cm. What is the scale factor?

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