National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Scale Factor
Does doubling mean everything doubles? Learners adjust the scale factor between two rectangles. Using the calculated measurements, pupils investigate the ratios between the lengths, perimeters, and areas of the rectangles.
EngageNY
Scale Factors
Is it bigger, or is it smaller—or maybe it's the same size? Individuals learn to describe enlargements and reductions and quantify the result. Lesson five in the series connects the creation of a dilated image to the result. Pupils...
EngageNY
An Exercise in Creating a Scale Drawing
Design your dream classroom. The lesson plan contains an exercise to have teams create a scale drawing of their dream classroom. Pairs take the measurements of their classroom and furniture and create a scale factor for them. To finish...
EngageNY
Computing Actual Lengths from a Scale Drawing
The original drawing is eight units — how big is the scale drawing? Classmates determine the scale percent between a scale drawing and an object to calculate the length of a portion of the object. They use the percent equation to find...
Curated OER
Proportions and Scale Factor for Measurement
Learners explore the concept of proportion. In this proportion lesson, students use google maps to find the distance the their school is from home. Learners discuss what a scale factor is through teacher led discussion. Students...
PBS
KidVid: Fractions and Scale
Scale the challenge of learning about ratios and scales. Young mathematicians learn to incorporate fractional measurements when considering scales and scale factors. They use an interactive to investigate the concept and critically...
Teach Engineering
Scale Model Project
Try your hand at scale models. Scholars create a scale model of an object using a scale factor of their choice. As part of the project, they give presentations on their processes and calculations. This is the last installment of the...
EngageNY
Scale Drawings
Are you searching for a purpose for geometric constructions? Use an engaging approach to explore dilations. Scholars create dilations using a construction method of their choice. As they build their constructed dilation, they strengthen...
Curated OER
Measure: Bearings and Scale Drawings
Young mathematicians practice measuring acurately with a protractor. They convert measurements using a scale factor, then translate the new information into diagrams. This instructional activity should be a hit in that it's mostly...
Exploratorium
Measuring and Mapping the Playground
The school playground is a great place to learn about math. Pupils measure the dimensions of a playground using baby steps and individual strides. They use their measurements to create a scale drawing of the playground by applying an...
Curated OER
Understanding Proportions and Scale Drawings
Proportions are ratios found using multiplication or division. Middle schoolers solve measurement problems, find a figure's missing dimension, and find the distance between two points. Resource features four lesson plans with detailed...
EngageNY
Fundamental Theorem of Similarity (FTS)
How do dilated line segments relate? Lead the class in an activity to determine the relationship between line segments and their dilated images. In the fourth section in a unit of 16, pupils discover the dilated line segments are...
Curated OER
Scale factors: Ratios and Proportions
Students create building and models using scale factors. In this geometry lesson, students apply the properties of ratio and proportion to solve problems. They identify the means and extremes property of cross multiplication.
Mathed Up!
Similar Shapes
Similar shapes are all about the scale. Given seven problems, pupils use scale factors to determine measurements within similar shapes. While solving the problem, scholars also determine whether two figures are similar and use area and...
Science Matters
Richter Scale
The 12th lesson in a series of 20 opens with a demonstration of exponential functions using pasta. This concept is connected to the Richter Scale, which is also an exponential function. Scholars compare the exponential scale that...
Curated OER
Exploring Similarity Using Scale Drawings
Learners explore scale factor as they create a scale drawing of a box, then determine the surface area and volume of the original and the scale drawing. The one page worksheet contains activities and procedures with four questions.
Curated OER
Drawing to Scale
Students examine the process of drawing a picture to scale. They analyze and discuss real-life blueprints for a house, and create a scale drawing of an original invention using calculators and rulers.
EngageNY
Making Scale Drawings Using the Ratio Method
Is that drawn to scale? Capture the artistry of geometry using the ratio method to create dilations. Mathematicians use a center and ratio to create a scaled drawing. They then use a ruler and protractor to verify measurements.
Balanced Assessment
House Plan
A short assessment has individuals determine the scale of a house plan. They use the scale to calculate the size of a door and window that need to be replaced, and then divide a bedroom in two, calculating the size of rooms created.
EngageNY
The Scaling Principle for Area
As they investigate scaling figures and calculate the resulting areas, groups determine the area of similar figures. They continue to investigate the results when the vertical and horizontal scales are not equal.
EngageNY
Scaling Principle for Volumes
Review the principles of scaling areas and draws a comparison to scaling volumes with a third dimensional measurement. The exercises continue with what happens to the volume if the dimensions are not multiplied by the same constant.
Corbett Maths
Enlargements Using Ray Method
Figure out what to do when there is no grid to count. Using a ruler and a sharp pencil, the narrator shows how to perform a dilation when the figure is not on a grid. The ray method works by drawing a ray from the center of dilation...
NASA
Oh, Chute!
Using a scare model of the a test vehicle developed by the Systems Architecture and Integration Office at NASA, groups determine the dimensions for a scale model of the parachute compartment. The groups also determine the volume of the...
EngageNY
How Do Dilations Map Angles?
The key to understanding is making connections. Scholars explore angle dilations using properties of parallel lines. At completion, pupils prove that angles of a dilation preserve their original measure.