Scaling

Scaling is when you are given information about something and then have to apply it to a smaller or larger quantity. 

You use it in everyday life, but probably don’t realise it.

_{Example 1}

You are having a party with 30 people.

You want everyone to have a cupcake. 

Cupcakes are only sold in packets of 10. What do you do?

You could apply your knowledge of the 10 times table:

3 x 10 = 30

You need 3 packets of cupcakes to have enough for 30 people.

_{Example 2}

Meera is having 7 friends over for a party. She wants to make a cake. Including herself 8 people will be eating the cake. What ingredients does she need?

She finds a recipe for 4 people:

• 200 g of butter
• 250 g of sugar
• 300 g of flour
• 2 eggs

8 people is double 4 people. Meera needs to multiply the ingredients by a scale of 2.

• 200 x 2 = 400g of butter
• 250 x 2 = 500g of sugar
• 300 x 2 = 600g of flour
• 2 x 2 = 4 eggs

The party is a huge success! Meera wants to have another party the following week. 

This time 16 people will need a piece of cake. 16 is 4 x 4. 

Meera will need to multiply the recipe by a scale of 4.

• 200 x 4 = 800g of butter
• 250 x 4 = 1000g of sugar
• 300 x 4 = 1200g of flour
• 2 x 4 = 8 eggs

Log onto Seesaw and complete the ‘Scaling’ activity.