Question

Criag is making making a model of his neighborhood that uses model trains. the ratio of the model train to the actual train is 1:64. his neighborhood covers an area of 200,740 square feet. what would the area of the model neighborhood be.

Answer 1

Let x = the area of his model.  Set up a proportion. 1 is to 64 as the area of his model is to the area of his neighborhood. The order of the objects in the proportion is important. 1:64::x:200,704. Notice that the first thing in the first ratio (1:64) is the small number. The first thing in the second ration (x:200,704) is the small number. The small numbers go with the model.  The bid numbers go with the neighborhood. Set up the proportion: 1/64 = x/200,704. The small numbers are the numerators, the big numbers are the denominators.  Lots of folks have trouble with proportions because they don't keep the numbers consistent. Solve for x 200,704/64 = x x = 3136 The model will have an area of 3,136 square feet. You can set up the proportion with the big numbers on top and you get the same result. 64 is to 1 as 200,704 is to the area of the model. 64:1::200,704:x 64/1 = 200,704/x Cross multiply to solve. 64x = 200,704 x = 200,704/64 x = 3136.