Question

Figure 1 and figure 2 are right triangles.

two right triangles labeled figure 1 and figure 2, where the legs of figure 1 are 3 units long and the legs of figure 2 are 4 units long

What scale factor was used to produce Figure 2 from Figure 1?

3
4
3 over 4
4 over 3

Answer 1

4/3

Explanation:

To find the scale factor from figure 1 to figure 2, divide a length in figure 2 by its corresponding length in figure 1.

Both legs of figure 1 measure 3 units.

Both legs of figure 2 measure 4 units.

Each leg measuring 3 units corresponds to a leg measuring 4.

scale factor = (length in figure 2)/(corresponding length in figure 1)

scale factor = 4/3

Check:

The way a scale factor works is that when you multiply a length in figure 1 by the scale factor, you get the corresponding length in figure 2.

figure 1 length: 3

scale factor: 4/3

product: 3 × 4/3 = 12/3 = 4

Yes, we do the correct length in figure 2, so our scale factor of 4/3 is correct.