Final answer:
The student's question revolves around using proportions and scale factor ratios to determine the dimensions of scale models for objects like buildings and pools, in addition to calculating surface area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts discussed in the student's question primarily involve scale models, proportions, and surface area calculations. These relate to the mathematical understanding of how to translate the dimensions of a real object to a scale model and vice versa.
To find the dimensions for a scale model of an object like a building, pool, or pond, one needs to write the unit scale as a ratio, such as '1/2 in = 5 ft'. Next, create proportions that compare the scale distances to the actual distances. For example, if the actual length of a pool is 20 feet, and the unit scale ratio is 1/2 inch to 5 feet, the length on the scale model would be found by setting up and solving the proportion '0.5 in / 20 ft = x in / 5 ft', where 'x' represents the length on the model in inches.