Final answer:
Jim should use option C. 2 in. = 8.5 in. as the scale for enlarging the comic strip frames. This scale represents a scale factor of 4.25, which allows him to draw each frame as large as possible on the new sheet while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original frames.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jim should use the scale that allows him to enlarge the comic strip frames to fit the sheet of paper while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original frames. We need to find the scale factor that would allow the 2.5 in. by 2 in. frames to be enlarged as much as possible to fit within the 11 in. by 8.5 in. paper. To maintain the proportions, we need to look at both dimensions and determine the maximum scale factor for each:
- For the length: 11 in. ∗ 2.5 in. = 4.4
- For the width: 8.5 in. ∗ 2 in. = 4.25
Because the width, when scaled by 4.25, would reach the maximum width of the paper before the length reaches the maximum length when scaled by 4.4, the scale factor we choose has to be 4.25 to keep the aspect ratio the same. This corresponds to C. 2 in. = 8.5 in. which represents a scale factor of 4.25 when each 2 inches of the original is drawn as 8.5 inches on the enlarged version.
Scale factors are essential for maintaining the correct proportions when enlarging or reducing images.