1. What is Scale Factor?

The scale factor is the ratio of the new dimension to the original dimension. It's used in mathematics, engineering, and design to represent proportional relationships between similar figures or scaled objects.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the scale factor formula:

Where:

• \( New \) — New dimension measurement
• \( Old \) — Original dimension measurement

Explanation: The scale factor tells you how many times larger or smaller the new dimension is compared to the original.

3. Applications of Scale Factor

Details: Scale factors are used in map reading, model building, architectural drawings, image resizing, and many engineering applications where proportional scaling is required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both new and old dimensions in the same units. The calculator will output a unitless scale factor. Values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a scale factor of 1 mean?
A: A scale factor of 1 means the new dimension is exactly the same size as the original (no scaling).

Q2: What if my scale factor is less than 1?
A: A scale factor less than 1 indicates reduction in size. For example, 0.5 means the new dimension is half the size of the original.

Q3: Can scale factor be negative?
A: In practical applications, scale factors are typically positive. Negative values would indicate reflection in addition to scaling.

Q4: How is scale factor different from percentage?
A: Scale factor is a direct ratio (e.g., 0.5), while percentage would express this as 50%. Multiply scale factor by 100 to get percentage.

Q5: Can I use different units for new and old dimensions?
A: No, both measurements must be in the same units for the scale factor calculation to be meaningful.