Math Problem Statement

A building has a height of 125 meters and a length of 80 meters. On a scale drawing of the building, the height is 25 cm.

What is the length of the building on the scale drawing?

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The length of the building on the scale drawing is (Select)55162064

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  centimeters.

Solution

To solve this, we can use the concept of proportions since the scale drawing maintains the same ratio between the height and the length of the building.

Step-by-Step Calculation:

  1. Actual height of the building: 125 meters
  2. Height on the scale drawing: 25 cm
  3. Actual length of the building: 80 meters
  4. Let the length on the scale drawing be LL cm.

The proportion between the height and the length in the actual building should be the same in the scale drawing. Thus, we set up the proportion:

125m80m=25cmLcm\frac{125 \, \text{m}}{80 \, \text{m}} = \frac{25 \, \text{cm}}{L \, \text{cm}}

Now, solve for LL:

12580=25L\frac{125}{80} = \frac{25}{L}

Cross-multiply:

125L=80×25125L = 80 \times 25

125L=2000125L = 2000

Now divide by 125:

L=2000125=16cmL = \frac{2000}{125} = 16 \, \text{cm}

Conclusion:

The length of the building on the scale drawing is 16 centimeters.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions to think about:

  1. How would the scale change if the building’s height on the drawing was 50 cm instead of 25 cm?
  2. How can you convert the dimensions from meters to centimeters without using proportions?
  3. What other applications use scale drawings besides architecture?
  4. How would you calculate the area of the building in both real-life and the scale drawing?
  5. How does the scale factor relate to similar figures?

Tip: Always check that the ratio of real dimensions matches the ratio in the scale drawing for accuracy!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Proportions
Ratios
Scaling

Formulas

(Actual height) / (Actual length) = (Scale height) / (Scale length)

Theorems

Proportion Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8