Understanding what scale notation means (e.g., 1:100 means 1 cm on the drawing represents 100 cm in real life).
Where your child meets this in real life: Understanding map scales, model kit scales, or architect drawings
SEAGReady breaks understand scale notation into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Understand what scale notation 1:n means and identify what each number represents
Understand that the drawing is smaller than real life and compare different scales
Three free sample questions from our understand scale notation course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
A map of Derry has a scale of 1:100. If a street is 1 cm long on the map, how many cm is it in real life?
Answer: A. 100 cm
In the scale 1:100: - The 1 means 1 cm on the map - The 100 means 100 cm in real life So 1 cm on the map represents 100 cm in real life.
Stuck? Start here: In a scale like 1:100, the first number (1) represents the map and the second number (100) represents real life.
Conor has two model aeroplane kits. One is scale 1:48 and the other is scale 1:72. Which scale gives the larger model?
Answer: A. 1:48
1:48 means the model is 48 times smaller than real life. 1:72 means the model is 72 times smaller than real life. 48 times smaller is not as small as 72 times smaller. So 1:48 gives the larger model.
Stuck? Start here: A scale of 1:48 means the model is 48 times smaller than real life.
Aoife is reading a floor plan with a scale of 1:50. What does the number 50 represent?
Answer: A. The real-life measurement in cm
In the scale 1:50: - The 1 represents 1 cm on the drawing - The 50 represents 50 cm in real life So the 50 tells us the real-life measurement that matches 1 cm on the plan.
Stuck? Start here: Scale is written as 1:n where the first number is always the drawing.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara is looking at a map of Belfast in her geography class. The map has a scale of 1:200.
If a road is 1 cm long on the map, how many cm is it in real life?
1:200
Step 1 of 4
Ciara is looking at a map of Belfast in her geography class. The map has a scale of 1:200.
If a road is 1 cm long on the map, how many cm is it in real life?
The road is 200 cm in real life.
The key insight: In a scale like 1:200, the first number is always the map and the second is real life!
Watch out: Thinking 1:200 means the map is 200 times bigger. The map is actually 200 times SMALLER.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in understand scale notation, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.