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Summaries · Grade 6 Maths › Enlarging and reducing by a scale factor
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Enlarging and reducing by a scale factor

Enlarging and reducing shapes by a scale factor on grid paper. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Enlarge and reduce

With a scale factor the size of a shape changes, but not its shape. Multiply every side by the same number; the angles stay the same.

  • A scale factor bigger than 1 (e.g. 2) enlarges: every side becomes 2 times as long.
  • A scale factor smaller than 1 (e.g. ½) reduces: every side becomes half as long.
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On grid paper

A rectangle is 3 squares long and 2 squares high. With scale factor 2 it becomes 6 squares by 4 squares; with scale factor ½ it becomes 1½ squares by 1 square.

  1. Count how many squares long each side is.
  2. Multiply each length by the scale factor.
  3. Draw the new shape from one corner, with the same angles as the original.
Rule

With scale factor 2 the perimeter becomes 2 times as big (10 → 20 units), but the area becomes 4 times as big (6 → 24 squares).

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Scale factor: multiply every side by the same number.
  • Bigger than 1 enlarges; smaller than 1 reduces.
  • The angles and the shape stay the same.
  • Scale factor 2: perimeter × 2, area × 4.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Every side gets the same multiplier.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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