2.1 Problem solving using proportional reasoning
Proportional reasoning questions cover a huge variety of real-life applications, from best buys to map scales.
Maps and scales
Maps and scale drawings use proportionality. In order for a map to be useful, it needs a scale which represents how much smaller it is than the place it represents. This means that journey distances can be accurately calculated.
Activity 8 Example problem: model boat
Allow 5 minutes
A scale model of a sailboat is made to a scale of 1:20 (Figure 13).
- If the model boat is 17 cm wide, how wide is the actual boat?
- If the boat has a sail of height 5 m, how high is the sail on the model?
Discussion
- The actual boat is 20 times larger, so it will be 340 cm or 3.4 m wide.
- The model boat is 20 times smaller, so the sail will be 0.25 m or 25 cm high
OpenLearn - Teaching mathematics
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