using scale factor

Using Scale Factors

Help students understand shape enlargements by learning to identify scale factors and recognize when shapes are enlarged based on side ratios. Develop from familiar language like “twice as big” to using precise mathematical terms.

Target Age:

Lesson Overview

By the end of this unit, students will:

  1. understand that a shape is an enlargement of another if all the matching sides are in the same ratio;
  2. use familiar language such as “twice as big” and progress to using the language of scale factors
  3. identify the scale factor of an enlargement when presented with both images.

Curriculum Alignment: Year 6 Ratio and proportions

  • solve problems involving the relative sizes of 2 quantities where missing values can be found by using integer multiplication and division facts
  • solve problems involving similar shapes where the scale factor is known or can be found
Last updated on: February 27, 2026

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