1. What is Scale Factor?

Scale factor is the ratio that describes how much a figure has been enlarged or reduced. When working with fractions, it represents the proportional relationship between the new fraction and the original fraction.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the scale factor formula:

Where:

• \( Fraction\ New \) — The new fraction value (dimensionless)
• \( Fraction\ Original \) — The original fraction value (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times larger or smaller the new fraction is compared to the original fraction.

3. Importance of Scale Factor Calculation

Details: Calculating scale factor with fractions is important in various mathematical applications, including geometry, scaling drawings, resizing images, and solving proportion problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both fraction values as dimensionless numbers. Both values must be valid (greater than 0). The result will show the scale factor as a dimensionless value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a scale factor less than 1 indicate?
A: A scale factor less than 1 indicates a reduction in size, meaning the new fraction is smaller than the original.

Q2: What does a scale factor greater than 1 indicate?
A: A scale factor greater than 1 indicates an enlargement, meaning the new fraction is larger than the original.

Q3: Can scale factor be negative?
A: No, scale factor cannot be negative as it represents a ratio of sizes. Both fraction values must be positive numbers.

Q4: How is scale factor used in real-world applications?
A: Scale factor is used in architecture, map reading, model building, and any situation where proportional scaling is required.

Q5: What if my fraction values are very small?
A: The calculator can handle very small values (decimals), but both values must be greater than zero to avoid division by zero errors.