Question

A company produces rulers 15 inches long. Due to pressure from higher authorities, now the length of the ruler is reduced to 5 inches. What is the scale factor here?

• A. $\frac{1}{2}$
• B. $\frac{1}{3}$
• C. $\frac{1}{4}$
• D. $\frac{1}{5}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $\frac{1}{3}$

$\text{Given,}$

$\text{Length of the actual ruler = 15 inches}$

$\text{Length of the new ruler = 5 inches}$

$\frac{1}{3}\times \text{Length of the actual ruler =}$
$\text{Length of the ruler after reduction}$

$⟹\frac{1}{3}\times 15=3$

$⟹5=5$

$\text{Hence, the scaling factor is}\frac{1}{3}$.