Lesson 5

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Scale diagrams are also useful to help visualize house plans. It is impossible to draw a house to its actual measurements. So the measurements are reduced by a scale factor, and a scale diagram is drawn. Contractors use scale diagrams or blueprints to provide tradespersons with accurate and specific measurements. Scale diagrams and 3-D models also provide a proportional representation of what the final structure will look like.

Scale diagrams are also helpful for determining how to arrange furniture in a room—or for determining whether or not the furniture will even fit! It is much less backbreaking to move a couch on a scale diagram than to move the actual couch numerous times.

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As you know, Rajesh and his family are moving to a smaller house in a new city. Rajesh wants to figure out whether all of his furniture will fit in his smaller new room. Rajesh has not seen his room at the new house yet. His parents, however, did give him a copy of the floor plan. Since floor plans are not always drawn to scale, Rajesh decides to make a scale diagram of his new room. This way, he will be able to accurately determine whether his furniture will fit and how best to position it.

Try This 1

Use the applet Rajesh’s Room to help Rajesh draw a scale diagram of his new room and help him determine whether all his furniture will fit.