Question

Shelby has a rectangular mirror that measures 20 inches long and 16 inches wide. The space on her wall is only 14 inches long. She cuts the mirror down in size but keeps the same scale. Which proportion can she use to find the new width of the mirror?

A. 20/16 = x/14
B. 20/16 = 14/x
C. 20/14 = x/16
D. 16/14 = x/20

Answer 1

To maintain the same scale and fit the 14-inch wall space, Shelby should use the proportion 20/16 = x/14 to find the new width of her mirror.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shelby can use a proportion to find the new width of the mirror after cutting it down to fit the space on her wall. If the original dimensions are 20 inches by 16 inches, and she wants to maintain the same scale, the proportion will compare the original length to the new length and the original width to the new width. The correct proportion she should use to find the new width is:

20/16 = x/14

This says that the ratio of the original length to the original width is the same as the ratio of the new length (which is 14 inches to fit the wall) to the new width (x).