To determine the scale factor that should be used in order to correct the size of the post card, we simply have to divide the original length of the picture which is 4.5 inches by the space available, 1.8 inches. This gives an answer of, scale factor = 4.5 inches / 1.8 inches = 2.5
The scale factor is the ratio of the lenght of a figure compared to the lenght of another figure and it can be used to enlarge or reduce a shape. In this case, as the customer wants to reduce the picture, to calculate the scale factor you have to divide the small length by the big length.
Scale Factor Reduction= Small length /Big length= 1.8/4.5= 0.4
8 is positive and 14 negative. You can either draw a number line and help yourself with that or since the negative one is bigger you can do the subtraction 14 - 8 and then change the sign of the answer.
