Scale factors and scale diagrams
A map that fits in your pocket can still tell you exactly how far it is to the next town — as long as you understand its scale.
Part of your national curriculum
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change: Use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps
Key learning points
- • Reading a scale
- • Worked example
- • Scale diagrams
This lesson at a glance
- 24 minutes
- 16 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 16
Visual introductionPicture this
Scale factors and scale diagrams
A map that fits in your pocket can still tell you exactly how far it is to the next town — as long as you understand its scale.
In a nutshell
Use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Reading a scale
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 16
Learn
Reading a scale
A scale of 1:25,000 means 1 cm on the map represents 25,000 cm (250 m) in real life. To find a real distance, measure the map distance and multiply by the scale factor.
Reset break
Part 4 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 16
Learn
Worked example
On a map with scale 1:50,000, two towns are 6 cm apart. Real distance = 6 × 50,000 = 300,000 cm = 3,000 m = 3 km.
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Part 7 of 16
Quick check
A scale drawing has a scale of 1:20. A wall is drawn 8 cm long. What is the real length?
Reset break
Part 8 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 16
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Scale diagrams
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 16
Learn
Scale diagrams
An architect draws a room at scale 1:20. If the drawn length is 8 cm, the real length is 8 × 20 = 160 cm, or 1.6 m. Scale drawings keep shapes accurate just smaller.
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Reset break
Part 12 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 16
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 16
Game · Recall cards
On a 1:50,000 map, two towns are 6 cm apart. What is the real distance?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Scale factors and scale diagrams
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. On a 1:50,000 map, two towns are 6 cm apart. What is the real distance?
2. A scale drawing has a scale of 1:20. A wall is drawn 8 cm long. What is the real length?
3. What does a scale of 1:25,000 mean?
4. On a 1 : 25 000 map, 4 cm represents
Lesson round-up
Part 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Points this lesson
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Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 16 · Watch & discover
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Use scale factors, scale diagrams and maps