5. Changes in Dimensions
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Chapter 11
5.
Changes in Dimensions
| Student Learning Objectives: |
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Why
When the dimensions of geometric figures change, it impacts their perimeters, areas, and volumes. The Perimeters of Similar Polygons Theorem helps determine how the perimeter of one figure relates to the perimeter of a similar figure. Likewise, the areas of similar figures and the surface areas of similar solids follow proportional relationships based on the scale factor. The volume of similar solids also changes with the cube of the scale factor. Understanding these relationships is essential in geometry, where objects are often resized for various applications in fields like architecture, engineering, and design. By applying these theorems, it becomes easier to solve real-world problems involving the scaling of figures and solids while maintaining accuracy in measurements.
Lesson Settings & Tools
| | 12 Theory slides |
| | 11 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Changes in Dimensions
Slide of 12
Many people enjoy collecting miniature versions of famous characters or historical structures. These tiny copies are scale models of the originals — in other words, the model and the original figure are similar. This lesson will cover the characteristics of similar figures and explain how to calculate their measurements based on a specific scale.
Catch-Up and Review
Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.
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Explore
How Do the Dimensions of Similar Figures Change After a Scale?
Tadeo is interested in making miniature models of various objects. He wants to know more about how the dimensions of similar figures change depending on the scale. Consider the applet below, which displays two similar triangles.
- What conclusions could Tadeo draw from the applet?
- How are the scale factor and the ratio between the areas of the triangles related?
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Discussion
Relations Between the Similar Polygons
Two polygons are said to be similar if their corresponding sides are proportional and their corresponding angles are congruent. Because of this, there is a relation between the perimeters of similar polygons.
Rule
Perimeters of Similar Polygons Theorem
If two polygons are similar, then the ratio of their perimeters is equal to the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
Let P_1 and P_2 be the perimeters of QRST and ABCD, respectively. Let ab be the scale factor between corresponding side lengths. Then, based on the above diagram, the following relation holds true.
ABCD ~ QRST ⇒ P_1/P_2 =a/b
Proof
Let QRST and ABCD be two similar polygons with perimeters P_1 and P_2, respectively. By the definition of similar polygons, corresponding side lengths are proportional, with the scale factor ab as the common ratio.
QR/AB=a/b [0.8em]
RS/BC=a/b [0.8em]
ST/CD=a/b [0.8em]
TQ/DA=a/b ⇔ QR = a/b * AB [0.8em]
RS = a/b * BC [0.8em]
ST = a/b * CD [0.8em]
TQ = a/b * DA
If the equations are added together, the left-hand side of the resulting equation will give the perimeter of QRST. The right-hand side will give the scale factor times the perimeter of ABCD.
QR+RS+ST+TQ=a/b * AB+a/b * BC+a/b * CD+a/b * DA
FactorOut
Factor out a/b
QR+RS+ST+TQ=a/b (AB+BC+CD+DA)
SubstituteII
QR+RS+ST+TQ= P_1, AB+BC+CD+DA= P_2
P_1=a/b * P_2
Finally, the Perimeters of Similar Polygons Theorem is obtained by dividing both sides by P_2.
P_1=a/b * P_2 ⇔ P_1/P_2=a/b
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Example
Making a Miniature Model of a Basketball Court
Tadeo likes playing basketball. He decides to make a miniature model of a basketball court with a length of 32 centimeters.
External credits: freepik
A standard basketball court has a length of 28 meters and a width of 15 meters.
a Calculate the scale factor in this model. Write the answer in the simplest fraction form.
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Solution
a The miniature model of the basketball court will be a scale model of a real court, so the model and its original can be thought of as similar polygons. Therefore, their side lengths will be proportional and equal to the scale factor.
Scale factor=Length of model/Actual length Before the ratio can be calculated, both lengths need to have the same units of measure. The length of the real basketball court is 28 meters and the length of the scale model is 32 centimeters. Convert meters to centimeters to have same units of measure. 28 m * 100 cm/1 m=2800 cm Next, calculate the ratio of the length of the model to the corresponding actual length in centimeters.
Scale factor=Length of model/Actual length
SubstituteValues
Substitute values
Scale factor=32/2800
ReduceFrac
a/b=.a /16./.b /16.
Scale factor=2/175
The scale factor of the model will be 2175 or 2:175.
b To calculate the perimeter of the model, first find the perimeter of the real basketball court.
Recall that the perimeter of a rectangle is two times the sum of its length and width. P=2(15+28)=86 m The perimeter of the real basketball court is 86 meters. Since the miniature model of the court and the real court are similar rectangles, the ratio of their perimeters is equal to the ratio of their corresponding side lengths, or the scale factor. P_1/P_2=Scale Factor The scale factor is 2175. Substitute the scale factor and the perimeter of the real basketball court into the equation and solve for P_1.
P_1/P_2=Scale factor
SubstituteII
P_2= 86, Scale factor= 2/175
P_1/86= 2/175
MultEqn
LHS * 86=RHS* 86
P_1=2/175 * 86
MoveRightFacToNum
a/c* b = a* b/c
P_1=172/175
CalcQuot
Calculate quotient
P_1=0.982857 ...
RoundDec
Round to 2 decimal place(s)
P_1 ≈ 0.98
The perimeter of the model is about 0.98 meters. Finally, convert it to centimeters. 0.98 m * 100 cm/1 m=98 cm The model basketball court has a perimeter of about 98 centimeters.
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Discussion
Areas of Similar Figures
Like with perimeters, there is a relation between the areas of similar polygons.
If two figures are similar, then the ratio of their areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
Let KLMN and PQRS be similar figures, and A_1 and A_2 be their respective areas. The length scale factor between corresponding side lengths is ab. Here, the following conditional statement holds true.
KLMN ~ PQRS ⇒ A_1/A_2 = (a/b )^2
Proof
The statement will be proven for similar rectangles, but this proof can be adapted for other similar figures.
The area of a rectangle is the product of its length and its width.
| Area of KLMN | Area of PQRS |
|---|---|
| A_1 = KL* LM | A_2 = PQ * QR |
By the definition of similar polygons, the corresponding side lengths are proportional and equal to the scale factor ab. KL/PQ= a/b [1.1em] LM/QR=a/b ⇔ KL = PQ * a/b [1.1em] LM = QR * a/b The next step is to substitute the expressions for KL and LM into the formula for A_1, which represents the area of KLMN.
A_1 = KL* LM
SubstituteII
KL= PQ * a/b, LM= QR * a/b
A_1 = ( PQ * a/b) ( QR * a/b)
▼
Simplify right-hand side
RemovePar
Remove parentheses
A_1 = PQ * a/b * QR * a/b
CommutativePropMult
Commutative Property of Multiplication
A_1 = a/b * a/b * PQ * QR
ProdToPowTwoFac
a* a=a^2
A_1 = (a/b )^2 * PQ * QR
AssociativePropMult
Associative Property of Multiplication
A_1 = (a/b )^2(PQ * QR)
Notice that the expression on the right-hand side is ( ab )^2 times the area of PQRS, or A_2.
A_1 = (a/b )^2( PQ* QR)
Substitute
PQ* QR= A_2
A_1 = (a/b )^2 A_2
DivEqn
.LHS /A_2.=.RHS /A_2.
A_1/A_2 = (a/b )^2
This proof has shown that the ratio of the areas of the similar rectangles is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths. This ratio is also called the area scale factor.
Scale Factor & & Area Scale Factor a/b & ⇒ & A_1/A_2 = (a/b )^2
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Example
Making a Miniature Model of a Spectator Stand
Now Tadeo wants to build a miniature spectator stand for his miniature basketball stadium. He plans to use the following stand as a model.
External credits: macrovector
a Tadeo makes his scale model stand with a height of 12 centimeters. Calculate the scale factor in this model. Write the answer in the simplest fraction form.
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b Calculate the triangular side area of the miniature spectator stand.
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Solution
a The real spectator stand looks like a right triangle from a side perspective.
The scale model of the stand and the real stand have to be similar figures, so they have the same ratio between their corresponding side lengths. This ratio is called the scale factor. Scale factor=Length of model/Actual length Tadeo wants to create the model with a 12-centimeter height. He knows that the height of the real stand is 3 meters. Before finding the scale factor, both lengths must be in the same units. To achieve this, convert the height of the real stands from meters to centimeters. 3 m * 100 cm/1 m=300 cm Now the ratio of the height of the model to the corresponding actual height can be calculated.
Scale factor=Length of model/Actual length
SubstituteValues
Substitute values
Scale factor=12/300
ReduceFrac
a/b=.a /12./.b /12.
Scale factor=1/25
The scale factor of the model will be 125, or 1:25. This means that the dimensions of the model stand will be 25 times smaller than the dimensions of the real stand.
b Before calculating the side area of the model spectator stand, calculate the side area of the actual stand. This requires finding the length of the other leg.
Since it is a right triangle, the Pythagorean theorem can be used to find x.
x^2+y^2=z^2
SubstituteII
y= 3, z= 5
x^2+( 3)^2=( 5)^2
▼
Solve for x
CalcPow
Calculate power
x^2+9=25
SubEqn
LHS-9=RHS-9
x^2=16
SqrtEqn
sqrt(LHS)=sqrt(RHS)
sqrt(x^2)=sqrt(16)
SqrtPowToNumber
sqrt(a^2)=a
x=sqrt(16)
CalcPow
Calculate power
x=4
The base length of the triangular figure is 4 meters. Now, calculate the area of the triangle as half of the product of the base and height.
A= 1/2bh
SubstituteII
b= 4, h= 3
A= 1/2* 4 * 3
Multiply
Multiply
A= 1/2* 12
MoveRightFacToNumOne
1/b* a = a/b
A=12/2
CalcQuot
Calculate quotient
A=6
The area of the triangular side of the real stand is 6 square meters. Recall that if two figures are similar, then the ratio of their areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths. A_1/A_2=(l_1/l_2)^2=k^2 The ratio of the corresponding side lengths is equal to the length scale factor, so in this case, k= 125. The square of this scale factor can be used to find the area of the model's triangular side.
A_1/A_2=k^2
SubstituteII
A_2= 6, k= 1/25
A_1/6=( 1/25 )^2
▼
Solve for A_1
PowQuot
(a/b)^m=a^m/b^m
A_1/6=1^2/25^2
CalcPow
Calculate power
A_1/6=1/625
MultEqn
LHS * 6=RHS* 6
A_1=1/625 * 6
MoveRightFacToNumOne
1/b* a = a/b
A_1=6/625
CalcQuot
Calculate quotient
A_1=0.0096
The area of the model's triangular side is 0.0096 square meters. Finally, convert it to square centimeters. 0.0096 m^2 * 10 000 cm^2/1 m^2=96 cm^2 The area of the triangular side of Tadeo's model is 96 square centimeters.
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Pop Quiz
Finding the Length Scale, Perimeter, or Area of Similar Polygons
Consider two similar polygons. Use the given information to find the scale factor, perimeter, or area of either of the polygons. Keep in mind that the given length scale factor corresponds to the ratio of Polygon 2 to Polygon 1. Round the answer to two decimal places if necessary.
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Discussion
Surface Areas of Similar Solids
If two figures are similar, then the ratio of their surface areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
Let Solid A and Solid B be similar solids and SA_1 and SA_2 be their respective surface areas. The length scale factor between corresponding linear measures is ab. Given these characteristics, the following conditional statement holds true.
SolidA ~ SolidB ⇒ SA_1/SA_2 = (a/b)^2
Proof
The statement will be proven for similar rectangular prisms, but this proof can be adapted to prove other similar solids as well. As shown in the diagram, let a_1, a_2, and a_3 be the dimensions of Solid A and b_1, b_2, and b_3 be the dimensions of Solid B.
The surface area of a rectangular prism is the sum of the lateral area and the combined areas of the two identical bases. The lateral area of a rectangular prism consists of its four rectangular side areas. Notice that the areas of opposite faces are congruent.
| Surface Area of Solid A | Surface Area of Solid B |
|---|---|
| SA_1 =2( a_1* a_2 + a_1 * a_3+ a_2 * a_3 ) | SA_2 = 2( b_1* b_2 + b_1 * b_3+ b_2 * b_3 ) |
By the definition of similar solids, the side lengths are proportional and equal to the scale factor ab. a_1/b_1=a/b [1.1em] a_2/b_2=a/b [1.1em] a_3/b_3=a/b ⇔ a_1 = b_1 * a/b [1.1em] a_2 = b_2 * a/b [1.1em] a_3 = b_3 * a/b The next step is to substitute the expressions for a_1, a_2, and a_3 into the formula for SA_1, the surface area of Solid A.
SA_1 = 2(a_1 * a_2 + a_1 * a_3+a_2 * a_3 )
SubstituteExpressions
Substitute expressions
SA_1 = 2 (( b_1 * a/b * b_2 * a/b ) + ( b_1 * a/b * b_3 * a/b) + ( b_2 * a/b * b_3 * a/b ) )
▼
Simplify right-hand side
CommutativePropMult
Commutative Property of Multiplication
SA_1 = 2 ((a/b * a/b * b_1 * b_2 ) + (a/b * a/b * b_1 * b_3 ) + ( a/b * a/b * b_2 * b_3 ) )
RemovePar
Remove parentheses
SA_1 = 2 (a/b * a/b * b_1 * b_2 + a/b * a/b * b_1 * b_3 + a/b * a/b * b_2 * b_3 )
ProdToPowTwoFac
a* a=a^2
SA_1 = 2 ( (a/b )^2 * b_1 * b_2 + (a/b )^2 * b_1 * b_3 + (a/b )^2 * b_2 * b_3 )
FactorOut
Factor out (a/b )^2
SA_1 = (a/b )^2 * 2 ( b_1 * b_2 + b_1 * b_3 + b_2 * b_3 )
Notice that the expression on the right-hand side is ( ab )^2 times the surface area of Solid B.
SA_1 = (a/b )^2 * 2 ( b_1 * b_2 + b_1 * b_3 + b_2 * b_3 )
Substitute
2 ( b_1 * b_2 + b_1 * b_3 + b_2 * b_3 )= SA_2
SA_1 = (a/b )^2 * SA_2
DivEqn
.LHS /SA_2.=.RHS /SA_2.
SA_1/SA_2 = (a/b )^2
As shown, the ratio of the surface areas of the similar prisms is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding linear measures.
Scale Factor & & Surface Area Scale Factor a/b & ⇒ & SA_1/SA_2 = (a/b )^2
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Example
Designing a Miniature Basketball
What does a basketball court need if not a basketball? Tadeo turns his attention to designing a miniature basketball for his miniature stadium.
External credits: freepik
He knows that the radius of a real basketball is 4.7 inches.
a If Tadeo determines the length scale factor of the miniature ball to the real ball to be 3:19, what will the surface area of the miniature ball be? Round the answer to the nearest integer.
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b Calculate the radius of the miniature ball. Round the answer to two decimal places.
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Hint
a Use the formula for the surface area of a sphere. If two figures are similar, then the ratio of their surface areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
b The ratio of the radius of the model ball to the radius of the actual ball is equal to the length scale factor.
Solution
a Since the model basketball is a scale model of a real one, the real basketball and the model are similar spheres. As such, the ratio of their surface areas is equal to the square of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths, or the scale factor k.
SA_1/SA_2=k^2 While a sphere does not have any sides, its radius can be considered as a side measurement for the scale factor. Tadeo first wants to find the surface area of the real ball. Remember the formula for the surface area of a sphere. Surface Area of a Sphere 4π r^2 Since the radius of the real basketball is given to be 4.7 inches, substitute r=4.7 into the formula and simplify to find the surface area of the basketball.
The surface area of the real basketball is 88.36π. Next, use the square of the given scale factor to find the surface area of the miniature ball. Since the scale factor is given as the ratio of the miniature ball to the real ball, SA_1 should corresponds to the surface area of the miniature ball.
SA_1/SA_2=k^2
SubstituteII
S_2= 88.36π, k= 3/19
SA_1/88.36π=( 3/19 )^2
▼
Solve for SA_1
PowQuot
(a/b)^m=a^m/b^m
SA_1/88.36π=3^2/19^2
CalcPow
Calculate power
SA_1/88.36π=9/361
MultEqn
LHS * 88.36π=RHS* 88.36π
SA_1=9/361 * 88.36π
MoveRightFacToNum
a/c* b = a* b/c
SA_1=9 * 88.36π/361
UseCalc
Use a calculator
SA_1=6.920554 ...
RoundInt
Round to nearest integer
SA_1 ≈ 7
The surface area of the miniature ball will be about 7 square inches.
b Once again, use the scale factor to find the radius of the miniature ball. Since the miniature model of the ball and the real ball are similar figures, the ratio between their radii is equal to the scale factor.
r_1/r_2=Scale Factor The radius of the real basketball is 4.7 inches and the length scale factor is 3:19. Substitute these values into the equation and solve it for r_1.
r_1/r_2=Scale Factor
SubstituteII
r_2= 4.7, Scale Factor= 3/19
r_1/4.7= 3/19
▼
Solve for r_1
MultEqn
LHS * 4.7=RHS* 4.7
r_1=3/19 * 4.7
MoveRightFacToNum
a/c* b = a* b/c
r_1=3 * 4.7/19
Multiply
Multiply
r_1=14.1/19
CalcQuot
Calculate quotient
r_1=0.742105 ...
RoundDec
Round to 2 decimal place(s)
r_1 ≈ 0.74
The radius of the miniature ball will be about 0.74 inches.
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Discussion
Volumes of Similar Solids
As with side lengths and perimeters, there is a relation between the volumes of the similar figures.
If two figures are similar, then the ratio of their volumes is equal to the cube of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
Let Solid A and Solid B be similar solids and V_1 and V_2 be their respective volumes. The length scale factor between corresponding linear measures is ab. Given these characteristics, the following conditional statement holds true.
SolidA ~ SolidB ⇒ V_1/V_2 = (a/b)^3
Proof
The statement will be proven for similar rectangular prisms, but this proof can be adapted to prove other similar solids. As shown in the diagram, let a_1, a_2, and a_3 be the dimensions of Solid A and b_1, b_2, and b_3 be the dimensions of Solid B.
The volume of a rectangular prism is the product of its base area and its height.
| Volume of Solid A | Volume of Solid B |
|---|---|
| V_1 = a_1* a_2 * a_3 | V_2 = b_1 * b_2 * b_3 |
By the definition of similar solids, the side lengths are proportional and equal to the scale factor ab. a_1/b_1=a/b [1.1em] a_2/b_2=a/b [1.1em] a_3/b_3=a/b ⇔ a_1 = b_1 * a/b [1.1em] a_2 = b_2 * a/b [1.1em] a_3 = b_3 * a/b The next step is to substitute the expressions for a_1, a_2, and a_3 into the formula for V_1, the volume of Solid A.
V_1 = a_1 * a_2 * a_3
SubstituteExpressions
Substitute expressions
V_1 = ( b_1 * a/b) ( b_2 * a/b) ( b_3 * a/b)
▼
Simplify right-hand side
RemovePar
Remove parentheses
V_1 = b_1 * a/b * b_2 * a/b * b_3 * a/b
CommutativePropMult
Commutative Property of Multiplication
V_1 = a/b * a/b * a/b * b_1 * b_2 * b_3
ProdToPowThreeFac
a* a* a=a^3
V_1 = (a/b )^3 * b_1 * b_2 * b_3
AssociativePropMult
Associative Property of Multiplication
V_1 = (a/b )^3 (b_1 * b_2 * b_3)
Notice that the expression on the right-hand side is ( ab )^3 times the volume of Solid B.
V_1 = (a/b )^3 (b_1 * b_2 * b_3)
Substitute
b_1 * b_2 * b_3= V_2
V_1 = (a/b )^3 V_2
DivEqn
.LHS /V_2.=.RHS /V_2.
V_1/V_2 = (a/b )^3
As shown, the ratio of the volumes of the similar prisms is equal to the cube of the ratio of their corresponding linear measures. This ratio is also called the volume scale factor.
Scale Factor & & Volume Scale Factor a/b & ⇒ & V_1/V_2 = (a/b )^3
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Example
Designing a Miniature Model of a Stadium
Finally, Tadeo plans to model the exterior of his miniature stadium after his favorite basketball team's stadium.
The actual stadium has a volume of 6000 cubic meters. Calculate the volume of the miniature stadium if he uses the length scale of 7:122. Round the answer to two decimal places.
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Hint
If two figures are similar, then the ratio of their volumes is equal to the cube of the ratio of their corresponding side lengths.
Solution
Since the miniature stadium is a scale model, the actual stadium and the miniature stadium are similar solids. Recall that the ratio of the volumes of similar solids is equal to the cube of the length scale factor k. Note that the scale factor is equal to the ratio of the corresponding side lengths. V_1/V_2=(l_1/l_2)^3=k^3
The length scale factor is k=7:122 and the volume of the real stadium is 6000 cubic meters. Then, the volume of the miniature stadium can be found by substituting V_2=6000 and k=7:122 into the formula and solving for V_1.
V_1/V_2=k^3
SubstituteII
V_2= 6000, k= 7/122
V_1/6000=( 7/122 )^3
▼
Solve for V_1
PowQuot
(a/b)^m=a^m/b^m
V_1/6000=343/1 815 848
MultEqn
LHS * 6000=RHS* 6000
V_1=343/1 815 848 * 6000
MoveRightFacToNum
a/c* b = a* b/c
V_1=2 058 000/1 815 848
CalcQuot
Calculate quotient
V_1=1.133354 ...
RoundDec
Round to 2 decimal place(s)
V_1 ≈ 1.13
The volume of the miniature stadium will be about 1.13 cubic meters.
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Closure
Miniature Basketball Players
Tadeo wants to complete his miniature basketball stadium with the tiny basketball players. As he places his collection of action figures of his favorite team, he thinks about the real heights and weights of the players. For one particular player, the toy figure is 3.1 centimeters tall, while the real life counterpart player is about 2.06 meters tall.
Tadeo supposes that the if bodies of the action figure and the real player can be modeled with two similar solids, then the weights of similar figures is related by the cube of the scale factor k. w_1/w_2 = k^3 If the action figure weighs 0.02 pounds, is Tadeo correct?
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Hint
What is the length scale factor between the action figure and the human basketball player? Find the basketball player's weight using this equation. Does it make sense for a basketball player to weigh this much?
Solution
Start by determining the length scale factor, the ratio of the given lengths. Both lengths need to have the same units of measure, so remember to convert meters to centimeters using the conversion factor 100 cm1 m.
2.06 m * 100 cm/1 m=206 cm
Now the two centimeter lengths can be used to write the length scale factor k.
k=3.1/206
Tadeo claims that the weights of the action figure and the human player are proportional to the cube of the scale factor k because they are similar solids.
w_1/w_2 = k^3
Calculate the weight of the player using this information. The action figure of player weighs 0.02 pounds, so substitute the weight of the action figure and the scale factor into the equation.
According to these calculations, the human basketball player must weigh about 5869 pounds! 😱 Tadeo knows that even the heaviest NBA player of all time weighed about 375 pounds. ccc Calculated Weight of Similar Figures && Maximum Actual Weight 5869 & &375 The calculated value does not make sense because the density of an action figure and the density of a person are different. This means that the weights of the action figure and the player are not directly related to the volume scale factor.
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Changes in Dimensions
Exercise 3.1
Cylinders A, B, C, and D are similar. The ratio of the volume of Cylinder A to the volume of Cylinder B is 1:8.
Cylinder A is similar to Cylinder C with a length scale factor of 1:4 and Cylinder B is similar to Cylinder D with a length scale factor of 1: 7.
Note that the cylinders are not drawn to scale. What is the ratio of the volume of Cylinder C to the volume of Cylinder D?
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We are given information about four similar cylinders. Let's start by organizing the information about the length scale factors and volume ratio of cylinders A, B, C, and D. Let a and b represent the respective linear measures of cylinders A and B, and let V_A, V_B, V_C, and V_D represent their volumes. We can then summarize the given information in a table as follows.
| Similar Cylinders | Length Scale Factor | Ratio of Volumes |
|---|---|---|
| A ~ B | a : b | 1:8 |
| A ~ C | 1:4 | V_A : V_C |
| B ~ D | 1:7 | V_B : V_D |
We are asked to find the ratio of the volume of Cylinder C to the volume of Cylinder D. V_C/V_D = ? But first, let's find the missing ratios in the table. Let's recall a useful theorem to help us understand the relationship between the length scale factor and ratio of volumes of similar figures.
If two similar solids have a scale factor of a:b, then the ratio of their volumes is a^3:b^3.
We can visualize the theorem as follows. Similar SolidsAandB [-0.8em] ccc Length & Volume a/b & a^3/b^3 Let's use this ratio we can find the missing scale factor and the missing ratios of the volumes of the cylinders.
| Similar Cylinders | Scale Factor | Ratio of Volumes |
|---|---|---|
| A ~ B | a : b = 1: 2 | 1:8 |
| A ~ C | 1:4 | V_A : V_C = 1 : 64 |
| B ~ D | 1:7 | V_B : V_D = 1 : 343 |
Now let's determine whether we have enough information to express the ratio of V_C to V_D as the product of the known ratios of other volumes. We can use a form of dimensional analysis to complete the calculations. V_C/V_D= V_C/V_A * V_A/V_B * V_B/V_D As we can see, if we multiply the ratios thoughtfully and simplify the result, we should be left with the ratio of the volumes of Cylinders C and D. We already know the ratios of V_A V_B and V_B V_D. The value of V_C V_A is the reciprocal of V_A V_C, so it is 64 1. Let's substitute these ratios into the equation and multiply.
Therefore, the ratio of the volume of Cylinder C to the volume of Cylinder D is 8343.
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