The scale factor of a fraction, when applied in geometry or scaling, results in a reduction of the original object or figure. In simpler terms, it makes the copy smaller.
Here's a breakdown:
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Scale Factor Defined: A scale factor represents the ratio between corresponding measurements of an original object and its scaled copy.
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Fractional Scale Factors: When the scale factor is a fraction (less than 1), the resulting copy is smaller than the original. The smaller the fraction, the greater the reduction.
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Example: If an image is scaled by a factor of 1/2 (0.5), the new image will be half the size of the original. If the original image was 10 inches wide, the new image will be 5 inches wide.
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Whole Number Scale Factors: In contrast, a whole number scale factor (greater than 1) will result in an enlargement of the original object. For example, a scale factor of 2 would double the size.
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Application: Scale factors are used in maps, blueprints, model building, and computer graphics to represent objects at different sizes while maintaining accurate proportions.
In summary, a fractional scale factor is a value less than 1 that shrinks an object during scaling or reproduction.
