Chapter

2
Scale Factors and
Similarity
Have you ever wondered how the scale on a map
works? What about how tall a cliff or a mountain is, or
how far it is to the other side of a river or ravine? In this
chapter, you will explore the SI measurement system
and scale factors. You will also use the properties of
similar triangles to find heights of very tall objects.
Workers in fields such as architecture, road construction,
and surveying often use the SI measurement system,
scale factors, and diagrams. For example, a draftsperson
prepares technical drawings and plans that are used to
build everything from industrial machinery to
skyscrapers. The drawings show the details of the
structures and specify the dimensions, the materials to
be used, and the procedures to be followed.

Big Idea
Photographs, models, and drawings are often
enlargements or reductions of the original. The
scale factor is the multiplicative relationship
between them. You can use proportional
reasoning to understand how the changes in size
are related.

Inquire and Explore

• How can you describe, measure, and compare
spacial relationships?
• How are similar shapes related?
• What characteristics make shapes similar?

36 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

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Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity • MHR 37

 Get Ready
Multiplication Patterns
1. Evaluate using mental math. 2. Evaluate using mental math.
a) ​14 × 1​ b) ​14 × 10​ a) ​0.355 × 1000​ b) ​1.89 × 1000​
c) ​14 × 100​ d) ​14 × 1000​ c) ​0.75 × 100​ d) ​2.63 × 100​

3. a) Describe a pattern when multiplying by 10, 100, or 1000.

b) Explain to a classmate how to mentally determine ​346 × 10 000​.
c) Ask your classmate to explain how to mentally determine ​3.46 × 10 000​.

Division Patterns
4. Evaluate using mental math. 5. Evaluate without using a calculator.
a) ​2600 ÷ 1​ b) ​2600 ÷ 10​ a) ​473 ÷ 1​ b) ​473 ÷ 10​
c) ​2600 ÷ 100​ d) ​2600 ÷ 1000​ c) ​473 ÷ 100​ d) ​473 ÷ 1000​

6. a) Describe a pattern when dividing by 10, 100, or 1000.

b) Explain to a classmate how to mentally determine ​700 000 ÷ 100 000​.
c) Ask your classmate to explain how to mentally determine ​750 000 ÷ 100 000​.

Proportions

A proportion is a relationship that says that two ratios are equivalent. You can write ×3
proportions in fraction form.
6 km ​
2 km ​ = ​  _____
​  _____
To solve for an unknown quantity in a proportion, isolate the unknown quantity. 3h 9h
​​ _ 1  ​ = ​ _x  ​​
10 24 ×3
1  ​(24) = ​ _
​​ _ x  ​(24)​  Multiply both sides by 24.
10 24
​​ _ 24 ​ = x​
10

7. Solve each equivalent fraction. Do as many as 8. Solve for each unknown quantity. Do as many
you can using mental math. as you can using mental math.
​​  4 ​ = ________
a) __
◼ a) __ ​​  6 ​ = __
​  18 b) __ ​​  9x ​ = __
​  36 ​​
5 15
​   ​​ 5 x ​​ 24
◼ 16
__
c) ​​   ​ = ​  x ​​ 32
__ 5.5
d) ​​  x ​ = ​ ___
___ 11  ​​
b) __ ​​  2 ​ = ________
​   ​​ 22 3.6
3 12
c) __
◼
​​  8  ​ = ________
​   ​​ 9. Solve for each unknown quantity.
12 6
◼ ​  1 ​​ a) __ ​  x  ​​
​​  1  ​ = __ ​  x  ​​
​​  1 ​ = __
b) __
d) ________ ​​   ​ = __ 10 24 5 12
14 7 2 ​  x  ​​
c) ​​   ​ = __
__ ​​  x  ​ = __
d) __ ​  4  ​​
3 16 12 30

38 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

Working With Diagrams

Hash marks on a diagram identify sides that are the same length. Hash marks look like this: / or //.

10. Solve for the unknown values. 12. a) What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
a) b) 4.2 m l=7m

80 cm 9m
w=5m

40 cm
c) d) b) What is the area of the rectangle?
4m c) If the width of the rectangle is doubled,
what do you think happens to the
perimeter?
9 cm d) If the width of the rectangle is doubled,
what do you think happens to the area?
11. a) In #10a), the angle at the top of the triangle e) Calculate the perimeter and the area if the
is 30°. Determine the measure of the other width of the rectangle is doubled. Check
two angles inside the triangle. Explain your your answers against your predictions in
reasoning. parts c) and d).
b) In #10b), why do you think the diagram
does not need hash marks?
c) In #10d), what is the measure of each
interior angle? Explain your reasoning.

Scale

A scale shows the relationship between a distance on a drawing, model, or map and the actual distance.
A scale of 1 cm : 1 m means that 1 cm on the diagram represents 1 m actual size.

13. Draw a scale diagram of each rectangle. Use a 14. A road map uses a scale of 1 cm : 7 km. What is
scale of 1 cm represents 2 m. the actual distance between 2 towns that are
a) b) 6 cm apart on the map?
2m
8m
6m

12 m

Get Ready • MHR 39

 2.1
SI Measurement
Focus On …
In this lesson, I will learn to
• solve problems using
a personal referent to
estimate measurements
• convert between SI
measurements

Explore and Analyze

Rob Cardinal is a researcher at the University of Calgary’s Rothney Astrophysical
Observatory. He is a member of the Siksika First Nation. While looking for an
asteroid, he ended up taking images of an undiscovered comet. The comet was
named Comet Cardinal. Whether exploring outer space or travelling the world,
we often use linear (length or distance) measurements with SI units to measure
distances. SI stands for Système International d’Unités. Estimating lengths or
distances is easier if you can approximate common measurements using your
body or your surroundings. How can you use personal references to estimate SI
measurements?
referent
• something familiar or 1. Hold a metre stick at your side with one end of the stick touching the floor.
convenient that is used to How high up your body does the other end reach? You can use this location
refer to something else
• you can also use the word
on your body as a personal referent for 1 metre. The referent does not need
reference to match the measurement exactly, but it needs to be pretty close.

40 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 2. Copy and complete the table as you collect personal referents for common

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SI Measure Personal Referent
1m
10 cm
1 cm
1 mm

3. Use your body to create other personal referents for SI lengths. Copy and
complete the table.
Personal Referent SI Measure
Your outstreched hand

The length of your foot

The length of your arm

Your height

The length, width, or height of some things is often standard. In most homes, all
of the doors are the same height. Again, you can use a referent to estimate, even if
the measurement is not exact. For example, you can use the width of a standard
piece of paper as a reference for 20 cm even though it is a little wider than 20 cm.

4. Copy and complete the table.

Referent for Approximate
Referent SI Measure SI Measure
Width of a piece of paper 21.5 cm 20 cm
Height of a door
Height of a desk or table
Height of an electrical outlet
Length of a piece of paper

5. You can use your collection of measurement referents to estimate different

heights. For example, a student might be 5.5 paper lengths tall. Estimate the
height of your classroom.

2.1 SI Measurement • MHR 41

 Develop Understanding
Example 1: Estimate and Measure Using SI Units
Use a referent to estimate each distance. Then, measure each distance.
a) the thickness of a cellphone
b) the height of the seat of a chair
c) the width of the cover of this textbook

Solution
a) Use a referent: The width of one fingernail
is about 1 cm.
The thickness of a cellphone is
approximately as wide as half of one
fingernail. An estimate of the thickness of
a cellphone is 0.5 cm.
Measure using a ruler: The thickness of a
cellphone is 4.5 mm or 0.45 cm.

b) Use a referent: For most people, 1 metre is

about waist height.
The height of the seat of a chair is
approximately half of the height of 1 metre,
so a reasonable estimate is 50 cm.
Measure using a measuring tape: The
height of the seat of a chair is 46 cm.

c) Use a referent: Lay a standard sheet of paper over the cover of the book.
The width of the paper is a reference for 20 cm. The book is also about
20 cm wide.
Measure using an SI ruler: The width of the cover of this book is 22.8 cm.

Show You Know

Use a reference to estimate the height of the chalk- or marker-tray on a
blackboard or whiteboard. Then, measure the height.

42 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

Example 2: Convert Between SI Units for Length
A website reports the following measurements in different stories.

The distance from Earth to the moon is 38 440 300 000 cm.
A worm measures 0.069 m.

a) State a more appropriate SI unit for each measurement. Justify your choice.
b) Convert the given measurement to the more appropriate unit.

Solution
a) Earth is very far from the moon. You could measure the distance in
kilometres rather than centimetres. The length of a worm is very small.
You could measure it in millimetres or centimetres rather than metres.
b) Convert 38 440 300 000 cm to kilometres.

Use unit analysis to determine the number of centimetres in 1 km.

​1 m = 100 cm​and ​1 km = 1000 m​
So, ​1 km = (100 × 1000) cm​
​1 km = 100 000 cm​
​38 440 300 000 cm ​(​ __
100 000 cm )
1 km  ​ ​= 384 403 km​

Represent 38 440 300 000 cm more appropriately as 384 403 km.

Convert 0.069 m to centimetres.
Let x represent the number of centimetres.
Use proportional reasoning.
​100 cm = 1 m​
100 cm
​​ ______ ​  x cm  ​​
 ​ = _______
It is OK if the ratios are inverted. Just
1m 0.069 m make sure to match up centimetres with
centimetres and metres with metres.
​100(0.069) = x​
​6.9 = x​
Convert the measurement 0.069 m to a more appropriate measure of 6.9 cm
or, since ​1 cm = 10 mm​, 69 mm.

Show You Know

Convert each measurement to a more appropriate SI unit. Justify your choice.
a) A tube of toothpaste is 205 mm long.
b) The circumference of a highlighter measures 0.06 m.
c) You travel 418 000 m from Penticton to Vancouver.
d) The top of a door is 2032 mm high.

2.1 SI Measurement • MHR 43

 Connect and Reflect

Key Ideas
• Measurement referents allow you to estimate or approximate lengths or distances.
• You can use unit analysis to convert from one SI unit to another.

Practise

For help with #1 and #2, refer to Example 1 on page 42. c) the thickness of a quarter
d) the diameter of Earth
1. Use your collection of SI measurement
references to estimate each measure in your
4. Convert each measurement.
classroom. Justify your choice of unit.
a) ​6 cm = ◼ mm​ b) ​4 m = ◼ cm​
a) the height of a light switch from the floor
c) ​7 km = ◼ m​ d) ​0.5 cm = ◼ mm​
b) the width of your classroom
e) ​0.5 m = ◼ cm​ f) ​500 m = ◼ km​
c) the length of your desk or table
5. Copy and complete the table. Convert each
2. Measure each distance in #1 and compare the
given length. The first one is done for you.
measurement to your estimate.
Centimetres Millimetres cm and mm
For help with #3 to #5, refer to Example 2 on page 43. 4.1 cm 41 mm 4 cm 1 mm

3. State an appropriate SI unit for each measurement. a) 3 cm 7 mm

b) 86 mm
a) the diameter of a quarter
c) 10 cm 5 mm
b) the length of a car d) 14.4 cm

Apply

6. Convert each measurement to a more appropriate unit. State why you think
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a) Mount Logan, in southwestern Yukon, is 595 900 cm tall.

b) The diameter of an apple is 0.064 m.
c) The largest brown bear, the Kodiak, is 2440 mm in length.

7. Distances in most international sports are stated in SI units. The table shows
the actual distances for some events. Copy and complete the table.
Event Metres Kilometres
a) Speed skating 1500 m
b) Olympic walking 20 km
c) Kayaking 500 m
d) Cross-country running 12 000 m
e) Biathlon 7.5 km

44 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 8. a) Draw a letter S on a plain piece of paper using the following estimates of

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i) 30 mm ii) 25 cm
b) Explain how you will measure the curve length of each letter you drew.
c) Measure each S and compare the measurements to the distances. If you are
out by more than 5 mm for part i) or 2 cm for part ii), draw the letter again.

9. Competency Check When you convert between different metric units,

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location. Explain why this happens.

10. a) Estimate the perimeter of each figure. Use an appropriate SI unit.

i) ii)

b) Determine each perimeter. Compare the measurement to your estimate.

How close was your estimate?

Extend

11. A backyard has the dimensions shown. A lawn mower A 16.5 m

cuts a 52-cm width of grass.
a) You start at A and return to A when finished. 13.5 m
What minimum distance do you walk?
b) Does your route, such as following the perimeter
or walking in rows, affect the distance you walk? Explain.

12. Work with a partner. Suppose you sprained your ankle and need to wrap it
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a) Estimate the length of bandage you need to wrap your foot and ankle
four times.
b) Wrap your ankle and foot with a piece of cloth using a figure eight
technique. Measure the length of cloth you needed. Compare your
estimate with the actual measurement.
c) Suppose you estimate the length of bandage you need by estimating the
circumference of your foot and ankle and multiplying the sum by four.
Do you think your estimate will be close to the actual measurement of the
bandage? Why or why not?
2.1 SI Measurement • MHR 45
 2.2
Enlargements and Reductions
Focus On …
In this lesson, I will learn to
• analyze to determine British
the scale factor by which Columbia
an item was reduced or
enlarged
• solve for actual Vancouver
measurements using a Island
given scale

0 25 50 75 100

kilometres

Explore and Analyze

scale Most maps include a scale. The scale shows the ratio of distance on the screen or
• the relationship between diagram and the actual distance on Earth. The map’s scale in the left corner looks
a distance on a drawing, like a ruler. Another way of expressing scale is to use a numerical ratio of diagram
model, or map and the
measurement to actual measurement. How can you use a scale when measuring
actual distance
• for example, a scale of items?
1 cm : 1 m means that
1 cm on the diagram
1. A scale reduction is often used to illustrate
represents 1 m actual size
large things that are not practical to draw
scale reduction to actual size because they are too big.
• the multiplier used to Research the dimensions of a standard stop
reduce the size of an sign in Canada.
object
a) Measure the width of the stop sign on
the photo.
b) How many times as wide is an actual
scale factor
stop sign as the stop sign in the photo?
• the number used as a
multiplier in scaling
This is called the scale factor.
• for example, to enlarge a c) Express the scale of the photo as a
square by a scale factor diagram measurement : actual measurement ratio.
of 3, multiply each side of
the original square by 3 d) Express the ratio in lowest terms. Do not include the units in the ratio.

46 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

2. You can use a scale enlargement to show small things that are not practical scale enlargement
to draw to actual size because they are too tiny. Research the diameter of a • the multiplier used to
Canadian dime. enlarge the size of an
object
a) Measure the width of the dime on the photo.
b) How many times as wide is the dime in the
photo as an actual dime?
c) Express the scale of the photo in the same order
as you did for the stop sign, that is, as a diagram
measurement : actual measurement ratio.
d) Express the ratio in lowest terms. Do not include the
units in the ratio.

3. Compare the ratios in #1 and #2. What do you notice about the way the scale
is expressed and the type of representation of the actual object?

Develop Understanding
Example 1: Determine the Scale of a Photo or Diagram
The Sopwith Camel was a
British World War I fighter
plane. The photo shows a
scale model of the Sopwith wingspan
Camel. In a scale model,
every dimension of the
actual object has been
reduced by the same factor.
The actual wingspan of the
Sopwith Camel is 8.53
metres. Measure the
wingspan on the photo and
determine the scale of the
photo. Express the scale
factor as a fraction.
Solution
Measure the wingspan on the photo: 11.8 cm
Why do you
The wingspan of the actual plane is 8.53 m, which is 853 cm. need to convert
​853 ÷ 11.8 = 72.2881…​ 8.53 m to 853 cm?

The photo is approximately a 1 : 72 reduction of the size of the actual Sopwith

Camel. Expressed as a fraction, the actual Sopwith Camel has been reduced by a
1  ​​for the photo.
scale factor of ​​ __
72

2.2 Enlargements and Reductions • MHR 47

 Show You Know
Determine the scale of this image of a grey whale. The average grey whale is
about 14 m in length. Express the scale as a ratio and as a fraction.

Example 2: Determine the Actual Size of an Object

A common scale for collectible toy cars is 1 : 64.
a) What does the ratio mean?
b) Use the measurements on the photo of the scale model to determine the
actual measurements of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle. Express your answer in
the most appropriate SI units. Round your answers as necessary.

6.4 cm

5.6 mm

Solution
a) The 1 : 64 ratio means that each of the actual measurements of the real car is
64 times the length of the same measurement on the model.
b) Apply the scale to the car length measurement on the model.
​6.4 × 64 = 409.6​
The overall length of an actual 1959 Volkswagen Beetle is 409.6 cm.
Rounded to the nearest cm, the overall length of the car is 410 cm.

48 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 Convert 410 cm to metres.
Let x represent the number of metres.
Use proportional reasoning.
​100 cm = 1 m​
​  x m  ​​
1 m  ​ = ______
​​ ______
100 cm 410 cm
​​ ___410 ​ = x​
100
​4.1 = x​
The Beetle is 4.1 m long.
Apply the scale to the wheel diameter measurement on the model.
​5.6 × 64 = 358.4​
The actual wheel diameter of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle is 358.4 mm.
You can also express this length as 35.84 cm, or, as a rounded value, 36 cm.

Show You Know

​​  1  ​​reduction. How long is the whale’s
This photo of a humpback whale is a ___
125
pectoral (top) fin?

Connect and Reflect

Key Ideas
• Scale is a ratio of the measurements of any model (such as a map, drawing, or photo)
to the measurements of the actual item.
• If the smaller of the numbers of the scale is first, it is a reduction.
• If the larger of the numbers of the scale is first, it is an enlargement.

2.2 Enlargements and Reductions • MHR 49

 Practise

For help with #1 and #2, refer to Example 1 on page 47. For help with #3 and #4, refer to Example 2 on page 48.

1. State whether each scale is a scale reduction or 3. Calculate the actual length given the scale and
an enlargement. Explain how you know. the length on a scale model.
a) 27 : 1 b) 1 : 27 a) 2 cm on a 1 : 72 model
c) 1 : 1.5 d) 10 000 : 1 b) 1.5 cm on a 1 : 24 reduction
c) 1 cm on a 100 : 1 enlargement
2. Determine the scale in each case and state d) 1 mm on a 25 : 1 enlargement
whether the scale indicates a reduction or an
enlargement. 4. Calculate the actual size given the scale and the
Measurement on Actual
length on a scale model. Give your answers in
Model Measurement the stated units.
a) 0.5 cm 1m a) 1.5 cm on a 1 : 150 000 map, in metres
b) 720 mm 36 cm b) 3.6 cm on a 1 : 28 scale model, in millimetres
c) 1 cm 0.1 mm
c) 0.45 mm on a 50 000 : 1 microscope
d) 5 cm 5 cm
enlargement, in millimetres
d) 25 cm on a 10 : 1 photo enlargement, in
millimetres
Apply

5. A paper clip is 2.5 cm long. Determine the scale of this drawing of the paper clip.

2.5 cm

6. a) Measure the length and the width of this book, to the nearest centimetre.
On centimetre grid paper, make a 1 : 2 scale reduction of the front cover.
b) On the same paper, make a 1 : 4 reduction.

7. The sketch shows the number three on a die. Create a 3 : 1

enlargement.

8. Research the average length of a housefly.

Determine the scale of the photo.

50 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 9. Competency Check

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of a bowl. Is it an enlargement or
a reduction?
b) Explain what a 1 : 1 scale means.
c) Creative advertisers can enlarge
the size of items so that they look
bigger or reduce them so they look smaller. The fruit in this picture have
been reduced by a factor of 1.5. Why might an advertiser choose to
enlarge or reduce the size of some items?

10. The All My Relations mural in Allan

Gardens, Toronto, was installed in 2012 to
beautify temporary fencing around a
construction site. The mural gave the
Aboriginal people the opportunity to tell
their story in four sections dedicated to
community, water, traditional teachings,
and the history of the land. The entire
mural was about 274 metres long. The
photo shows one section. Determine the
scale of the photo.

Extend

11. Competency Check Measurements

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metres. The diameter of the rings is
4 feet, 8 feet, and 12 feet.
a) Make a scale reduction of the
curling rings. Indicate the scale on
your drawing.
b) Research the conversion factor between centimetres and feet. Convert the
diameter of the curling rings to SI units.

12. Competency Check Research the dimensions of the standard Canadian

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flag. Research the ratio of the red : white : red bands. Draw a scale reduction of
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the flag. Keep the ratios of the flag intact. Indicate the scale on your drawing.
Note: The maple leaf only needs to be approximately to scale, but the rest of
your diagram should be very accurate.
a) Discuss the width to height ratio of the flag.
b) Discuss the red : white : red band width ratio of the flag.

2.2 Enlargements and Reductions • MHR 51

 2.3
Scale Diagrams
Focus On …
In this lesson, I will learn to
• represent a place or
object by creating a scale
diagram
• use scale diagrams to
determine unknown
measurements

Explore and Analyze

Architects, surveyors, interior designers, and carpenters all make and use scale
drawings in their work. Scale diagrams help you visualize actual objects. You
can measure any part of a scale diagram and use the scale factor to determine
measurements of the actual object. Look around your classroom. What do you
see that could have started from a scale drawing?
1. Measure, to the nearest 0.5 m, the length and the width of your classroom.
If the room is not rectangular, take the most important measurements.

scale diagram 2. Choose an appropriate scale and create a scale diagram that represents the
• a 2-D drawing that top view of your classroom. Pick a scale so that the diagram will take up most
represents a place or of the space on the paper.
object
• uses scale to show the 3. a) Measure the distance from the door of your classroom to the nearest
relationship between the
corner. Measure the width of the door opening.
distances on the diagram
and the corresponding b) Erase a “hole” at the appropriate location of your diagram for the door
distances in real life opening.
c) Which side of the opening are the hinges on? Does the door open into the
classroom or out?
d) Draw the symbol to show the door. The straight line
comes out from the hinges, and the curve represents the
path of the door as it swings open. door

4. a) Write the scale of your diagram, as a 1 : ◼ ratio, in the bottom corner of

your drawing.
b) Measure one of the diagonals on your diagram. Use the scale of your
drawing to determine the actual distance in your classroom. Measure the
actual distance and compare the results.
52 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity
 Develop Understanding
Example 1: Read Scale Diagrams
This scale drawing of Fiona’s bedroom is on centimetre grid paper. Her
bedroom is in one corner of the house. Exterior walls are shown as half a square
thick. Interior walls, which are much thinner, are shown as lines.
Scale: 5 cm represents 1 m

door

Fiona’s Bedroom
closet

door

window

a) Explain the scale of the diagram.

b) Convert the scale of the diagram to a 1 : ◼ ratio.
c) What are the dimensions of Fiona’s bedroom? Explain how you know.
d) How wide is each door?
e) How deep is the closet?
Solution
a) The scale means that the side length of 5 squares on the diagram represents
1 metre of distance in the actual bedroom.
b) In the diagram, ​5 cm (squares) = 1 metre​, which equals 100 cm. The side of
1 square on the diagram represents 20 cm in the bedroom. Since the diagram
is on centimetre grid paper, it is a 1 : 20 reduction.
c) On the diagram, the dimensions are 18 squares by 11.5 squares. To
determine actual measures, multiply each measurement by 20. The actual
dimensions are 360 cm (3.6 m) by 230 cm (2.3 m).
d) The door to the room is 4 squares wide, so it measures 80 cm.
The door to the closet is 3 squares wide, so it measures 60 cm.
​ 1 ​​squares deep, so the depth of Fiona’s closet is 70 cm.
e) The closet is ​3__
2

Show You Know

Refer back to the scale diagram of the bedroom.
a) How wide is the actual window?
b) How wide is Fiona’s closet?

2.3 Scale Diagrams • MHR 53

 Example 2: Determine Missing Dimensions
To avoid clutter, many scale drawings include a minimum amount of
information. Use the measurements given to determine the lengths of
walls A, B, C, D, and E.

B 9m

C A
D
12 m

24 m

Solution
Wall D:
D is the same length as the wall with the same number of hash marks. So, wall D
is 9 metres long.
Wall B:
The length of the walls parallel to the bottom wall add up to 24 metres.
You know one wall is 9 metres and Wall D is also 9 metres. ​9 + 9 = 18​
Therefore, B is ​24 − 18 = 6​metres long.
Walls A and C:
The hash marks show that walls A and C are the same length as B, so they are
also 6 metres long.
Wall E:
Since A is 6 metres and the overall dimension on the left of the diagram is
12 metres, E must also be 6 metres long.

54 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 Show You Know
Determine the missing dimensions.
a) 17 m

4m
6m
Y

12 m X

b) P T

Q S
8 feet
R
12 feet
U

18 feet

Connect and Reflect

Key Ideas
• A scale diagram helps you visualize an actual object.
• You can measure any part of a scale diagram and then use the scale factor to
determine the measurements of the actual object.
• You can use mathematical reasoning to determine measurements that have not been
included on a scale diagram.

Practise

For help with #1 to #3, refer to Example 1 on page 53. 2. Determine the actual distance represented by
the following lengths on a scale diagram using
1. Express each scale in ratio form.
a 1 : 50 scale.
a) 1 cm to 1 m
a) 1.5 cm
b) 1 cm to 0.5 m
b) 4 cm
c) 1 cm to 1 km
c) 7 cm
d) 1 cm to 100 m
d) 12.5 cm

2.3 Scale Diagrams • MHR 55

 3. A dentist is hiring a local renovation company For help with #4, refer to Example 2 on page 54.
to update the reception area of the office.
4. Determine the unknown dimensions.
a) 8.2 cm 13.6 cm
hall

B
A 24.5 cm
reception area
10.4 cm

38 cm
Scale: 1 square edge represents 0.5 m
b)
a) How many square edges represent 1 metre 10.6 cm
on the drawing? How do you know? F

b) Count the squares on the drawing to

determine the dimensions of the reception 12 cm
8.5 cm
area.
c) Determine the area of the floor of the
reception area. Include the area where the
door swings open.

Apply

5. The drawing shows the layout for kitchen flooring. 3m

Using grid paper, create a scale diagram. Use an
appropriate scale.
6m

2.5 m
2m
5.5 m

6. a) Use a scale of 1 square edge to 10 cm to create a scale drawing of the front

of the soccer goal shown.
b) Use the same scale to draw the side of the goal.

1m 4m

2m

1.2 m

56 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

7. a) The diagram below shows part of a set of 12 stairs up to a landing.
Determine the overall height and length of the stairs from the floor
to the landing.
b) Without measuring and using the scale of the diagram, how can you
determine how long the bannister needs to be?

tread = 25 cm
riser = 20 cm

8. This floor plan shows part of the ground floor of a cottage. The scale of the

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pr u n

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diagram is 1 : 100.

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Anason

ct
Re mm

Re nne
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Un

Co

Co
Re
A

Steps Bathroom

Kitchen C
B Hall

Dining room D

a) Determine the actual dimensions of the kitchen and the bathroom.

b) If you walked from the steps to the centre of the dining room,
approximately how far would you walk? Explain your reasoning.

9. Meghan received a Pacific Northwest

eagle pendant for her birthday. It
measures 3.5 cm in diameter. Meghan
would like to have some earrings
made to match her pendant. What
scale should she ask the jeweller to
use when making her earrings?

2.3 Scale Diagrams • MHR 57

10. Competency Check You are

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pr u n

fle ct
designing your closet to organize

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Re nne
So der
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Co

Co
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your belongings.
a) The closet is 1.5 m wide and 3 m high.
Choose an appropriate scale and draw
a scale diagram of the closet as if you
were looking into it.
b) Design the interior of the closet with
the following features:
• at least 1 rod for hanging pants
• at least 1 rod for hanging shirts
• drawers or baskets for socks,
underwear, and other small items
• compartments or a rack for sports
equipment
• shelves for sweaters, books, and other similar items
c) Add one other item of your choice to your closet design.

11. Tracy took a picture of a wind turbine at the wind farm in Cowley Ridge,
Alberta. The height of the turbine is 45 m.

2.5 cm

a) What scale factor was used to make this reduction?

b) What is the length of a wind turbine blade?

58 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 Extend

12. Bryce is renovating his family’s cabin. To help plan, he makes a quick sketch
of the layout. The diagram is not to scale.

7m

Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2
3m
3.5 m

6m

a) The exterior walls and the wall between the bedrooms are made of log
and are 20 cm thick. Determine the missing dimension of bedroom 2.
b) Draw a scale diagram using the scale 1 square : 20 cm. The bedroom
doors are 80 cm wide and 15 cm from the corner of the room. The
main door is 1 m wide and is centred on the wall. Each window is
110 cm wide and starts 50 cm from closest corner.

13. The legs of a table have a diameter of 10 cm. The legs are attached 10 cm
from the edges of the tabletop, as shown in the diagram. The tabletop
10 cm 10 cm
is 5 cm thick. The table is 150 cm long, 90 cm wide, and 75 cm high.
a) Draw a scale diagram of the front view and a side view of the table.
b) Describe what the top view would look like.
c) Create a scale diagram of the view of the table as it would look
from the bottom.

14. Locate all the light switches and all the electrical outlets in your classroom.
Research the symbols that are commonly used to indicate these items on
diagrams. Add them to your scale diagram of the classroom that you made
in the Explore and Analyze section. Add any other items that you believe
would be helpful to someone who might want to renovate the room.
Note: Since your diagram is a “top view” of your classroom, do not indicate
the height of any of these items, just their horizontal position along the wall.

2.3 Scale Diagrams • MHR 59

 2.4
Similar Triangles
Focus On …
In this lesson, I will learn to
• analyze to determine
whether two triangles
are similar
• use similarity between
triangles to solve
problems

Explore and Analyze

One of the world’s tallest totem poles is in Alert Bay, British Columbia. It stands
approximately 53 metres tall! You can use shadows and proportional reasoning to
determine the height of objects. How could you use the length of the shadow of a
totem pole and of an object of known height to determine the height of the pole?

1. Work in a group. Measure the length of the shadow of your school’s flagpole
or a very tall tree.
similar triangles
• triangles with equal 2. Hold a metre stick at a right angle to the ground. Measure the length of the
corresponding angles shadow cast by the metre stick.
and proportional
corresponding sides
3. Use the shadow lengths and proportional reasoning
• ​△ABC ~ △DEF​means that
triangle ABC is similar to
to determine the height of the flagpole.
triangle DEF
4. a) Make a scale diagram of the items and their shadows.
corresponding angles
b) Draw lines from the top of each item to the
• have the same relative
position in a pair of similar
end of each shadow to create two triangles.
triangles c) How do the angles inside one of the triangles
• are equal compare to the angles inside the other?
corresponding sides
If drawn accurately, your diagram consists of two similar triangles. For triangles
• have the same relative
position in a pair of similar to be similar, their corresponding angles must be equal and their corresponding
triangles sides must be proportional.

60 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 Develop Understanding
Example 1: Determine Unknown Angle and Side Measures
​ ABC ~ △DEF​, determine the measure of ∠E and the length of EF.
Given that △
E

5m

60° 75°
A C D F
4m 6m

Solution
Find the measure of the unknown angle, ∠B.
​∠B = 180° − 60° − 75°​
​ = 45°​
Similar triangles have equal corresponding angles.
Given that △​ ABC ~ △DEF​, then ​∠E = ∠B = 45°​.
Next, determine the length of the unknown side.

Method 1: Use Proportional Reasoning Within a Triangle

​BC = 5 m​and ​AC = 4 m​
BC  ​ = _
​​ _ ​  5 ​ = 1.25​
AC 4
BC is 1.25 times the length of AC.
Similar triangles have proportional corresponding sides.
Given that △​ ABC ~ △DEF​, then EF must be 1.25 times the length of DF.
​6 × 1.25 = 7.5​
EF is 7.5 metres long.

Method 2: Use Proportional Reasoning Between Triangles

Sides AC and DF are corresponding sides, which means they are proportional.
​  6 ​ = 1.5​
​​  DF  ​ = _
_
AC 4
Since the triangles are similar, the dimensions of △DEF are 1.5 times those
of △ABC.
Sides BC and EF are corresponding sides, which means they are proportional.
​EF = 1.5 × BC​
​ = 1.5 × 5​
​ = 7.5​
EF is 7.5 metres long.

2.4 Similar Triangles • MHR 61

 Show You Know
Given that ​△PQR ~ △STU​, determine the measure of ∠T and the length of ST.
Q T

2.5 cm
110° 40°
P 2 cm R

S U
5 cm

Example 2: Determine Whether Two Triangles Are Similar

Show that ​△MNP ~ △HJK​.
H

The side opposite

M 10 cm 15 cm ∠M is labelled m; the
4 cm 6 cm side opposite ∠P is p;
and so on.
N 7 cm P J 17.5 cm K

Solution
Two triangles are similar if their corresponding angles are equal or if their
corresponding sides are proportional.
Write ratios comparing the longest sides, the shortest sides, and the third sides.
h  ​ = _ k _ j 15
_
​​  m ​  17.5
 ​​ ​​ _ 10
p ​ = ​  4 ​​
_ ​​  n ​ = _
​   ​​
7 6
h k j
​​ _ m ​ = 2.5​ ​​ _ p ​ = 2.5​
_
​​  n ​ = 2.5​
​ MNP ~ △HJK​.
Since the ratios of corresponding sides are equal, △

Show You Know

Show that ​△UVW ~ △XYZ​.
V Y

6 km 6.8 km
9 km 10.2 km
U W
5 km

X Z
7.5 km

62 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

Example 3: Determine Unknown Measures in Nested Similar Triangles
In the diagram, DE is parallel to AC. Find the length of AC.
B

48 cm

36 cm
D E
12 cm
A C

Solution
Draw the triangles separately. B
​AD = 12 cm​and ​DB = 48 cm​. B
So, AB is the sum of the two lengths.
​AB = 60 cm​. 48 cm + 12 cm
48 cm

A C D 36 cm E

Since AC is parallel to DE, ​∠A = ∠D​and ​∠E = ∠C​. When a straight line intersects
two parallel lines, corresponding
The angle at B is common to both triangles. angles are equal.

​ ABC ~ △DBE​
Since the two triangles have corresponding angles that are equal, △
and the lengths of the corresponding sides must be proportional.

​​  AC ​ = ​ ___

___ AB ​​
DE DB
​​  AC ​ = __
___ ​  60 ​​
36 48
​  36 ×  ​​ 
​AC = _______ 60 Multiply both sides by 36.
48
​AC = 45​
The length of AC is 45 cm.

Show You Know

In the diagram below, MN is parallel to JL. Determine the length of MN.
K

30 m

M N
10 m
J L
36 m

2.4 Similar Triangles • MHR 63

 Connect and Reflect

Key Ideas
• When two triangles are similar, their corresponding angles are equal and their
corresponding sides are proportional.
• To prove that two triangles are similar, you need to show that either the corresponding
angles are equal or that the corresponding sides are proportional
D
A

B C E F
Corresponding angles are A and D, B and E, and C and F.
Corresponding sides are AB and DE, BC and EF, and AC and DF.

• To determine unknown sides in similar triangles, solve for the proportion of sides in
one triangle and apply it to the second triangle, or solve for the proportion between the
two triangles and apply the scale as needed.

Practise

For help with #1, refer to the Explore and Analyze on For help with #2, refer to Example 1 on page 61.
page 60.
2. For each pair of similar triangles, determine all
1. For each pair of similar triangles, list the unknown angle and side length measures.
corresponding angles and the corresponding a) 12 F
sides. D
Z
How are the triangles in part a) 6
47°
different from those in part b)? 8
X 45° 5
88°
a) D
△XYZ is E
Y
A similar to △DEF.

b) D
B C E F 8
b) U
85° E
Q
S

R
B
P T
12 63° 6

32° C
A 10

64 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

For help with #3 and #4, refer to Example 2 on page 62. For help with #5 and #6, refer to Example 3 on page 63.

3. Show whether △LMN is similar to △PQR. 5. DE is parallel to AC, ​AD = 6.8​, ​DB = 9.3​, and ​
M BC = 12.8​. Find the length of BE to the nearest
Q
tenth of a unit.
17 m
8m 8.5 m 7.5 m A C

L N P 4m R 6.8
15 m D E
12.8
9.3
4. Show whether △LMN is similar to △PQR. B
L

5
7.5 6. DE is parallel to AC, ​BD = 4​, ​DA = 6​, and ​
55° N BE = 5​. Determine the length of BC.
M
B
Q 4 5
15 D E
6
P 33° 9
A
92° C
R

Apply

7. A pole 3 m tall casts a shadow 4 m long. At the same time, a nearby tree casts
a 15-m shadow. What is the height of the tree? Discuss your reasoning with a
partner.

3m
15 m 4m

8. To find the length of a pond, a surveyor took some measurements. She

recorded them on this diagram. What is the length of the pond?
L
76° 3 m
K N
12 m P
5m
76°
M

2.4 Similar Triangles • MHR 65

 9. At noon, a metre stick casts a 40-cm shadow.
At the same time, the flagpole outside the
school casts a 1.1-m shadow. Apply the
principles of similar triangles to find the
height of the flagpole.
h

1m

40 cm 1.1 m

10. Two ladders are leaned against a wall so that they

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pr u n

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make the same angle with the ground. The 10-foot

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ladder reaches 8 feet up the wall. How much further
up the wall does the 18-foot ladder reach?

11. Competency Check Elizabeth’s eyes A

en te
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t
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pr u n

fle ct
are 150 cm from the floor. She places a

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Re mm

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Un

Co

Co
mirror on the floor 18 m from the base Re

of a climbing wall. She walks backward

120 cm, until she sees the top of the wall
in the mirror.
a) How do you know that the two triangles
are similar?
h
b) Determine the height of the climbing
wall.

mirror

D
150 cm
B C F
18 m
120 cm

66 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

12. In the diagram, DE is parallel to AC, ​BD = 5​, ​BE = 4​, A
and ​EC = 10​. Name the similar triangles. Determine
the length of BA.

D
5 C
10
B 4 E

​ B = 2.8 cm​, ​
13. In the diagram, A B
CD = 3.5 cm​, ​CE = 4.4 cm​, and ​ C
4.4 cm
∠A = ∠C​. 2.8 cm

a) Name the similar triangles. E

3.5 cm
A
b) Explain how you know the
triangles are similar. D
c) Find the length of AE.

14. Design a problem that uses similar triangles that would allow you to

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t
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fle ct
determine the height of something that you cannot reach or measure.

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ct
Re mm

Re nne
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Un

Co

Co
Re
Extend

15. A ski tow rises 39.5 m over a horizontal distance of 118.8 m. Assuming this
relationship stays constant, what vertical distance do you rise if you travel
750.2 m horizontally? Justify your reasoning.

16. In the diagram, ∠

​ D = ∠A​, ​AB = 20 cm​, ​ A
CB = 12 cm​, and ​DF = 10 cm​. What is
the measure of AF?
20 cm
F

10 cm

D C 12 cm B

17. Orienteering is an important skill to learn in Refreshment

3 km Stand
wilderness training. In one exercise, students 5 km
walk due east of the starting point. There is a Start
68
refreshment stand at the 3-km checkpoint. The
next checkpoint is 5 km due east of the first. x
From there, students must walk S 22° W to the 20 km
third checkpoint. In total, how far must the
students walk to reach the third checkpoint? Checkpoint

End

2.4 Similar Triangles • MHR 67

 Rich Problems
1. For the graphs below, state two possible SI units that could be labelled on each axis.
a) Converting Between SI Units b) Converting Between SI Units
y y
100 1.0

80 0.8

60 0.6

40 0.4

20 0.2

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 x 0 200 400 600 800 1000 x

2. The international paper size standard is defined as follows:

A7
A7
• The A0 or starting size has an area of 1 m2. A5
A6
_ A3
• The length to width ratio is √
​​ 2 ​​. A4
• Each subsequent size A(n) is defined as A(n − 1) cut in half A1
parallel to its shorter side.
• The standard length and width of each size is rounded to the A2

nearest millimeter.
If A0 has dimensions 1189 mm by 841 mm, what are the
dimensions for A1, A4, and A6 sheets of paper?

​​ ax ​ = _
3. The geometric mean between two numbers, a and b, is the value x such that _ ​  x ​​.
b
​ ADB ∼ △BDC​and ∠
You are given △ABC such that △ ​ ADB = 90°​.
B

A 7 cm D 5 cm C

a) Why can BD be defined as the geometric mean of sides AD and DC?

b) Write a proportion and solve for x.

68 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

 Chapter 2 Review
Learning Goals
Inquire and Explore: How can you describe, measure, and compare spatial relationships?
How are similar shapes related?
What characteristics make shapes similar?

After this section, I can

2.1 ▪▪ solve problems using a personal referent to estimate measurements

▪▪ convert between SI measurements

2.2 ▪▪ analyze to determine the scale factor by which an item was reduced or enlarged
▪▪ solve for actual measurements using a given scale

2.3 ▪▪ represent a place or object by creating a scale diagram

▪▪ use scale diagrams to determine unknown measurements

2.4 ▪▪ analyze to determine whether two triangles are similar

▪▪ use similarity between triangles to solve problems

2.1 SI Measurement, pages 40–45 5. a) Estimate the perimeter of the figure below.
Use an appropriate SI unit.
1. Use your collection of SI measurement referents
to estimate each measure in your classroom.
Justify your choice of unit.
a) the width of the door
b) the thickness of the door b) Determine the perimeter. Compare the
measurement to your estimate. How close
c) the height of a desk or table
was your estimate?
d) the width of the chalkboard
2.2 Enlargements and Reductions,
2. Measure each distance in #1 and compare the
pages 46–51
measurement to your estimate.
6. State whether each scale is an example of a scale
3. A ramp is 9.4 m long. How many classroom reduction or an enlargement. Explain how you
door heights would it take to exceed the length know.
of the ramp?
a) 50 : 1

4. Convert each measurement to the unit b) 1 : 50

specified.
7. Calculate the actual length given the scale and
a) ​17 cm = ◼ mm​
the length on a scale model.
b) ​5.5 m = ◼ cm​
a) 2.5 cm on a 1 : 48 model
c) ​10 km = ◼ m​
b) 48 mm on an 8 : 1 photograph
d) ​25 mm = ◼ cm​

Chapter 2 Review • MHR 69

 8. Determine the scale of this photo of a monarch 11. Calculate the perimeters of the figures in #10.
butterfly. The average wingspan of a monarch
butterfly is about 9 cm. Express the scale as a 12. a) Use a scale of 1 square edge to 2 cm to create
ratio and as a fraction. a scale drawing of the front of the cereal box
wingspan shown. The actual dimensions of the box are
28 cm by 20 cm.
b) Use the same scale to draw the side of the
box. The width of the actual box is 7 cm.

9. The most famous aircraft designed and built in

Canada was the Avro Arrow. A number of _ ​​ 1 ​​
8
scale models were made and tested in a wind
tunnel. The length of each model was 10′8″.
What was the length of the full-size Arrow?

2.4 Similar Triangles, pages 60–67

13. a) For the pair of similar triangles below,

list the corresponding angles and the
corresponding sides.
b) Determine all unknown side lengths to the
nearest tenth of a unit and determine all
2.3 Scale Diagrams, pages 52–59 unknown angles.
H
10. Determine the missing dimensions. 4.3
a) 4.2 m 18.9 J
F I
43° 6.3
A
B

8.5 m
3.4 m

2.9 m
G
2.6 m
b) 10 inches
1
2 inches
4
6 inches
C
10 inches

1
3 inches
2

70 MHR • Chapter 2 Scale Factors and Similarity

14. DE is parallel to AC, ​BD = 8​, ​DA = 12​, and ​ Connect the Concepts
BE = 10​. Find the length of BC.
17. A carpenter is building a set of stairs. The
B
8
staircase has five steps. Each step has a rise
10
of 18 cm and a run of 24 cm.
D E
12

A joist
C run length of stringer

beam rise
15. On a sunny day, José’s shadow is 2.9 m long,

total rise
while the shadow of a tower is 11.3 m long. José sta
ir s
is 1.8 m tall. Calculate the height of the tower. tri
ng
er

total run
h
a) What is the total rise of the staircase?
1.8 m b) What is the total run of the staircase?
2.9 m 11.3 m
c) Use the Pythagorean relationship to
calculate the length of a piece of wood
16. a) Are △PQR and △STU similar? needed to make the stringer.
b) Determine the unknown side lengths d) Determine the scale of the drawing.
and angles.
P 18. A carpenter’s square is a tool in the shape of a
right angle. Use the drawing below to answer
? the questions.

?
12 m 17 cm
S 12 cm
37°
5m ?
4m
12 cm
53° ?
Q ? R T 3m U a) Is the carpenter’s square a right triangle?
Explain your reasoning.
b) What is the scale of the drawing?

19. a) Draw a triangle on grid paper.

b) Double the dimensions, and draw a new
triangle, similar to the first.
c) If you were to use a scale of 1:5, what would
your triangle’s new dimensions be?
d) Have a partner draw a reduction of your
triangle from part a). Determine the scale
factor your partner used.

Chapter 2 Review • MHR 71