Question

A particular rocket is 15 ft tall. A model of it was built with a scale of 1 in: 3 ft. How tall is the model?

a) 5 in
b) 10 in
c) 15 in
d) 45 in

Answer 1

Using the scale of 1 inch to 3 feet, the model of a 15 ft tall rocket would be 5 inches tall, as calculated by setting up a proportion and cross-multiplying.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find out how tall the model of a 15 ft tall rocket is when using a scale of 1 in: 3 ft, you need to set up a proportion that compares the model's scale to the actual size. The scale given is 1 in (model): 3 ft (actual). Since the actual rocket is 15 ft tall, we set up the proportion as follows:

1 in (model) : 3 ft (actual) = x in (model) : 15 ft (actual)

You then cross-multiply and solve for x:

1 in * 15 ft = 3 ft * x in

15 = 3x

x = 15 / 3

x = 5

Therefore, the height of the model rocket is 5 inches, which corresponds with option a).