Let the dimensions of the first rectangle be L and W. Then L*W = 48 in^2.
If we multiply both dimensions of this first rectangle by scale factor f, we get
f*L * f^W = 12 in^2. Our job is to determine the scale factor, f.
Note that f^2*L*W = 12 in^2, and that LW = 48 in^2.
Therefore, the above equation becomes f^2*(48 in^2) = 12 in^2.
Dividing both sides by (48 in^2), we get f^2 = 1/4.
Solving for the scale factor, we get f = √(1/4) = 1/2.
The scale factor is 1/2.
