Final answer:
Finn is incorrect; the scale factor can be a fraction, but this indicates that the model or drawing is smaller than the actual object, not larger. Fiona is also incorrect; the scale factor can indeed be a fraction in cases where the scale drawing or model is smaller than the actual size.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question revolves around understanding the nature of a scale factor in scale drawings or models. A scale factor is a ratio that describes how much the dimensions of the model or drawing are reduced or enlarged compared to the actual object. The scale factor can indeed be a fraction, which is the case when the model or drawing is smaller than the actual object, or it can be a whole number or a multiple if it's the same size or larger, respectively.
To clarify, option A ("Finn is correct because the scale factor can be a fraction when an image is larger than the pre-image") is incorrect because if the image is larger, the scale factor would be greater than 1, not a fraction less than 1. Option B ("Finn is correct because the scale factor is always a whole number") is incorrect because the scale factor can indeed be a fraction. Option C ("Finn is incorrect because the scale factor is always a whole number") is incorrect because the scale factor can also be a fraction. Finally, option D ("Finn is incorrect because the scale factor cannot be a fraction when the image is larger") is incorrect because the statement does not make sense; when the image is larger, the scale factor would be greater than 1. Therefore, the proper evaluation is that Finn is incorrect because the scale factor can be a fraction, but not when the image is larger than the pre-image.
Regarding Fiona, option A ("Fiona is correct because the scale factor can never be a fraction") is incorrect because it can be a fraction as exemplified in scale drawings of smaller objects. Option B ("Fiona is correct because the scale factor is always a fraction") is also incorrect because it can also be a whole number or larger. Option C ("Fiona is incorrect because the scale factor can be a fraction") is correct. Finally, option D ("Fiona is incorrect because the scale factor is always a whole number") is incorrect because the scale factor is not always a whole number; it depends on the comparison between the model/drawing and actual object sizes.