Final answer:
To find the area of the actual patio, you need the dimensions from the scale drawing and the scale factor. Multiply each dimension by the scale factor to get the actual dimensions, then multiply the actual length and width to get the area.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area of the actual patio can be calculated if the dimensions of the patio on the scale drawing and the scale factor are known. The scale factor relates the measurements on the scale drawing to the actual measurements. Suppose the scale drawing of a rectangular patio shows a length of L inches and a width of W inches, and the scale factor is 1 inch on the drawing represents X feet in reality. First, you would convert the scale dimensions to actual dimensions by multiplying the length and width by the scale factor (L * X, W * X). After obtaining the actual dimensions, you can calculate the area by multiplying the length and the width in feet (L * X * W * X feet²).
As an example, if the scale factor is 1/2 inch equaling 5 feet (1/2 in. = 5 ft), and the scale drawing shows a patio with dimensions 5 inches by 3 inches, the actual patio dimensions would be (5 inches * 10 feet/inch) by (3 inches * 10 feet/inch), resulting in 50 feet by 30 feet. The area of the actual patio can then be determined by multiplying these dimensions: 50 feet * 30 feet = 1,500 square feet.