Question

The sides of an oblong are in the ratio of 4:3. The oblong has a length of 12 cm and is increased by a scale factor of 2.5. What will the increased width be

Answer 1

If the scale factor is increased in 2.5, the increased width will be:

• 22.5 cm

Explanation:

Remember that an oblong is longer than it is wide, by this reason, the ratio of 4:3 could mean, if we give a number, by each 4 cm in the length, there is 3 cm in the width, in this form, if the oblong has a length of 12 cm, the width is:

• 4 cm ⇒ 3 cm
• 12 cm ⇒ x

So:

• 
  `x=(12 *3)/(4)`
• 
  `x=(36)/(4)`
• 
  `x=9`

Then, the original width is 9 cm, as the scale factor must be increased 2.5, we can multiply the found width to obtain the increased width:

• Increased width = 9 cm * 2.5
• Increased width = 22.5 cm

As you can see, the increased widt will be 22.5 cm.