Ratios - Scale and Proportion
Ratios - using scale and proportion
Using scale (for example; in terms of a map) with ratios is expressed in a slightly different way to fractions.
In plain terms:
A map with a scale of 1 to 10 is simply stating that for each unit of length on the given map is equivalent to an actual measurement on the landscape that the map represents.
In this case 1 cm on the map is equivalent to 1 km on the landscape.
If the size of the map changes (either increases or decreases in size) then the scale will change.
If, as in the graphic below, the size of the map increases then the scale factor will decrease.
If the size of the map decreases in size then the scale factor will increase.