Math Questions...NOT DRAWN TO SCALE

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November 14th 2008, 05:16 PM
magentarita

Math Questions...NOT DRAWN TO SCALE

I often see the words NOT DRAWN TO SCALE referring to math questions.

What exactly does that mean?

Is there a much easier way of saying the same thing?

Thanks
November 14th 2008, 06:07 PM
Soroban

Hello, magentarita!

Quote:

I often see the words not drawn to scale.
What exactly does that mean?

Suppose they gave us $\Delta ABC$ with: . $AB = 10,\;BC = 12,\;AC = 5$

And suppose they supplied this diagram:

Code:

A * * * 10 * * 5 * * * * * * B * * * * * * * C 12

It is only a rough sketch . . . It is not "drawn to scale."

$AB = 10$ does not look like it is twice $AC = 5$ , does it?

It gives an idea of what the triangle looks like.
. . $AC$ is the shortest side and $BC$ is the longest side.

But I wouldn't guess the size of the angles from that diagram.
. . It looks like $\angle A$ is acute, but actually it's about 101°.
November 15th 2008, 06:04 AM
magentarita

I see......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soroban

Hello, magentarita!

Suppose they gave us $\Delta ABC$ with: . $AB = 10,\;BC = 12,\;AC = 5$

And suppose they supplied this diagram:

Code:

A * * * 10 * * 5 * * * * * * B * * * * * * * C 12

It is only a rough sketch . . . It is not "drawn to scale."

$AB = 10$ does not look like it is twice $AC = 5$ , does it?

It gives an idea of what the triangle looks like.
. . $AC$ is the shortest side and $BC$ is the longest side.

But I wouldn't guess the size of the angles from that diagram.
. . It looks like $\angle A$ is acute, but actually it's about 101°.

I see what you mean.