Final answer:
The building's height on the blueprint is calculated using a proportion based on the scale provided. With a scale of 1/4 inch to 5 feet, and the actual height being 55 feet, the building's height would be represented as 2.75 inches on the blueprint.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about how to use scale factors to determine the height of a building on a blueprint, given the actual height of the building. In this case, the scale specified on the blueprint is 1/4 inch represents 5 feet. To find the height of the building on the blueprint when the actual height is 55 feet, we set up a proportion where 1/4 inch corresponds to 5 feet, and then we solve for the unknown height on the blueprint.
To calculate the blueprint height:
First, write the unit scale as a ratio: 1/4 inch / 5 feet.
Then, set up the proportion: (1/4 inch / 5 feet) = (x inches / 55 feet).
To solve for 'x', you cross-multiply and divide: (1/4) * 55 = 5x, which gives us x = (1/4) * 11.
The solution yields x = 2.75 inches. So, the building's height on the blueprint is 2.75 inches.