Scale drawings
AQA GCSE Maths revision on Scale drawings. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Mathematics 8300 specification. This bank has 16 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 16)
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Question 1
A map uses a scale of 1:10000. If a student says this means 1cm on the map represents 100 metres in real life, is this statement correct?
- A) Yes, because 10000cm is exactly 100 metres.
- B) No, 1cm represents 10 metres.
- C) No, 1cm represents 1000 metres.
- D) Yes, because 1cm represents 10000 metres.
Show answer
Answer: Yes, because 10000cm is exactly 100 metres.
The scale 1:10000 means that 1 unit on the map equals 10000 units in reality. Since 100cm equals 1 metre, dividing 10000cm by 100 confirms that 1cm represents 100 metres.
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Question 2
When creating a scale drawing of a room, why must the scale factor be consistent across both the length and the width?
- A) To ensure the drawing remains mathematically similar to the original.
- B) Because the paper size limits how large the drawing can be.
- C) To allow for easier addition of furniture sizes later.
- D) Because it is a requirement of the metric system.
Show answer
Answer: To ensure the drawing remains mathematically similar to the original.
A scale drawing must be a similar figure to the real object. If you change the scale for different dimensions, the angles and relative proportions will change, resulting in a distorted representation rather than a true scale drawing.
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Question 3
A student draws a house where the windows are larger than the front door. Identify the error in the student's understanding of scale drawings.
- A) The student failed to maintain the same scale factor for all objects.
- B) The student used a ruler instead of a protractor.
- C) The student did not use a 1:1 scale.
- D) The student included too much detail in the drawing.
Show answer
Answer: The student failed to maintain the same scale factor for all objects.
If different parts of a drawing use different scales, the drawing is no longer a coherent representation. Consistency is required to preserve the spatial relationship and proportions between the different features of the object.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
13 more questions on Scale drawings — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Maths spec.