Final answer:
The scale of the model is calculated by dividing the model's measurements by the actual size of the White House. The result is a scale factor which tells us how much the model has been reduced in size compared to the real building.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the scale of the model, we must compare the model's dimensions to the actual dimensions of the White House. Let's assume that the student has provided the measurements for the length and height of the model's north face. Once we have these measurements, we can calculate the scale factor for length and height separately by dividing the model's dimensions by the actual dimensions:
Scale factor for length = (Model Length) / 168 feet
Scale factor for height = (Model Height) / 52.5 feet
For a scale model, both scale factors should ideally be the same. If they are, the single scale factor represents how many times the dimensions of the actual object have been reduced. If, for instance, the scale factor is 1/100, this means that each unit of measurement on the model represents 100 of the same units on the actual White House.
Let's look at an example, if a student's model has a length of 1.68 feet and a height of 0.525 feet:
Scale factor for length = 1.68 feet / 168 feet = 1/100
Scale factor for height = 0.525 feet / 52.5 feet = 1/100
Thus, the model's scale is 1:100. This signifies that every inch, foot, or other unit of measurement on the model corresponds to 100 of the same units on the real White House.