Chapter 6.GA, Problem 5GA

Investing Scale drawings

Sections 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3

Materials:

• ruler

• tape measure

• grid paper(optional)

This activity may be completed by working in groups or individually.

Scale drawings are used by architects, engineers, interior designers, ship builders, and others. In a scale drawing each unit measurement on the drawing represents a fixed length on the object being drawn. For instance, in an architect’s scale drawing, 1 inch on the drawing may represent 10 feet on a building. The scale describes the relationship between the measurements. If the measurements have the same units, the scale can be expressed as a ratio. In this case, the ration would be 1:20, representing 1 inch to 120 inches (or 10 feet)

Now you will draw your own scale floor plan. First choose a room to draw-it can be your math classroom, your living room, your dormitory room, or any room that can be easily measured. Start by using a tape measure to measure the distances around the base of the walls in the room you are drawing.

Convert each measurement in the room you are drawing to the corresponding lengths need for the scale drawing.