Final answer:
To find the scale factor, write the ratio between the scale dimension and the actual dimension and simplify it. The scale factor is the simplified ratio.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scale factor can be found by looking at the ratio between the scale dimension and the actual dimension. For example, if the scale is 2:1, the scale factor is 1/2. To find the scale factor, write the ratio and simplify it.
For example, if 3 inches is equal to 12 feet, the ratio is 3:12. Simplifying this ratio gives us 1:4, so the scale factor is 1/4.
In general, to find the scale factor:
- Write the ratio between the scale dimension and the actual dimension.
- Simplify the ratio to its simplest form.
- The scale factor is the simplified ratio.