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Exploring Rectangle Scale Factors

This math problem asks students to consider how enlarging rectangles by scale factors affects their dimensions and areas. Students are asked to list combinations for an original rectangle with an area of 20cm^2, then calculate the new dimensions and areas when each rectangle is enlarged by a scale factor of 2. Students are prompted to notice patterns when different rectangles are enlarged by various scale factors, and to explain if their conclusions apply to other shapes beyond rectangles. The problem extends this investigation to cuboids and asks students to consider how surface areas and volumes are affected when cuboids are enlarged by different scale factors.

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40 views2 pages

Exploring Rectangle Scale Factors

This math problem asks students to consider how enlarging rectangles by scale factors affects their dimensions and areas. Students are asked to list combinations for an original rectangle with an area of 20cm^2, then calculate the new dimensions and areas when each rectangle is enlarged by a scale factor of 2. Students are prompted to notice patterns when different rectangles are enlarged by various scale factors, and to explain if their conclusions apply to other shapes beyond rectangles. The problem extends this investigation to cuboids and asks students to consider how surface areas and volumes are affected when cuboids are enlarged by different scale factors.

Uploaded by

ryu ray
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Growing Rectangles

Age 11 to 14

Imagine a rectangle with an area of 20cm2


Qs.1) What could its length and width be? List at least five different combinations.

Qs.2) If you enlarge each of your rectangles by a scale factor of 2, what would their new dimensions
be?

a) What would their areas be?

b) What do you notice?

c) What happens when you enlarge rectangles with different areas by a scale factor of 2?

d) What if you enlarge them by a scale factor of 3? Or 4? Or 5...? Or k?

What if k is a fraction?
Explain and justify any conclusions you come to.

Do your conclusions apply to plane shapes other than rectangles?


Now explore what happens to the surface area and volume of different cuboids when they are
enlarged by different scale factors.

Explain and justify your conclusions.

Do your conclusions apply to solids other than cuboids?

This problem is based on an idea suggested by Tabitha Gould.

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