CHAPTER 3

SCALES

Objectives
Objectives of studying this chapter are:
➢ To learn to construct different types of scale.
➢ To learn to produce an enlarged or reduced drawing.
➢ To learn to make measurements using scales drawn in maps or drawings.

6.1 Scale
The proportion by which we either reduce or increase the actual size of the object on a drawing is known as scale.
It is not possible always to make drawings of an object to its actual size as the extent of drawing paper is limited
and also sometimes the objects are too small to make it clearly understandable by drawing its actual size in drawing
paper. Scale is the technique by which one can represent an object comfortably as well as precisely within the
extent of drawing paper.
In other words, a scale is a measuring stick, graduated with different divisions to represent the corresponding
actual distance according to some proportion. Numerically scales indicate the relation between the dimensions on
drawing and actual dimensions of the objects.

6.2 Uses of scale

✓ To prepare reduced or enlarged size drawings.
✓ To set off dimensions.
✓ To measure distances directly.

6.3 Sizes of Scales

✓ Full size scale
✓ Reducing scale
✓ Enlarging scale

Full Size Scale

The scale in which the actual measurements of the object are drawn to the same size on the drawing is known as full
size scale. It is represented as 1:1 scale. If possible, drawing should be done in full scale.

Reducing Scale
The scale in which the actual measurements of the object are reduced to some proportion is known as reducing scale.
The standard formats of reducing proportions are:

1:2 - drawing made to one-half of the actual size

1:5 - drawing made to one-fifth of the actual size
1:10 - drawing made to one-tenth of the actual size
1:50 - drawing made to one-fiftieth of the actual size
1:100 - drawing made to one-hundredth of the actual size

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Enlarging Scale
The scale in which the actual measurements of the object are increased to some proportion is known as reducing scale.
The standard formats of enlarging proportions are:

2:1 - drawing made to twice the actual size

5:1 - drawing made to five times the actual size
10: - drawing made to ten times the actual size

6.4 Classification of Scales

✓ Plain Scales
✓ Diagonal Scales
✓ Comparative Scales
✓ Vernier Scales
✓ Chord Scales
The first two type (plain and diagonal) of scales are usually used in engineering drawings.

6.4.1 Plain Scale

The scale that can measure one main unit and one sub-unit of the main unit or up to a fraction of 1st decimal
point of the main unit is known to be a plain scale. It is simply a line divided into a number of equal parts and the
1st part is further sub-divided into small parts.
Kilometers and Hectometers, Meters and Decimeters, Meters and 1/10th of Meters etc. can be measured using plain
scales.

6.4.2 Diagonal Scale

The scale that can measure one main unit and two sub-units of the main unit or up to a fraction of 2nd decimal
point of the main unit is known to be a diagonal scale. It is so named because the 2nd sub-unit or 2nd decimal of
main unit is obtained by the principle of diagonal division.
Kilometers-Hectometers-Decameters, Decameters-Meters-Decimeters, Meters-1/10th of Meters- 1/100th of Meters etc.
can be measured using diagonal scales.

Table 6.1 Difference between Plain Scale and Diagonal Scale

Plain Scale Diagonal Scale
It can measure one main unit and one sub-units of the It can measure one main unit and two sub-units of the
main unit main unit
It can measure up to a fraction of 1st decimal point of It can measure up to a fraction of 2nd decimal point of
the main unit. the main unit.
Scale is constructed by simply dividing the line Scale is constructed by dividing the line longitudinally
longitudinally. as well as vertically and diagonally.

6.4.3 Comparative Scale

When the given scale of a plan reads a certain measure and it is required to construct a new scale for the same plan
to read in some other measures, the new scale is called comparative scale or corresponding scale.
For example let us consider a plan drawn in inch units and scale provided with drawing can measure in feet and
inch. If we draw another scale taking same R.F. that can measure in feet, inch and 1/8th of inch it will be a
comparative scale. Also if we draw another scale that can measure in cm and mm with same R.F. it will also be a
comparative scale.

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6.4.4 Vernier Scale
It is device for measuring fractional parts of the smallest division of the main scale. It consists of a fixed main
scale and a movable vernier scale. The vernier part is graduated in “n” number of divisions in such a way that it
coincides with “n-1” number of smallest divisions of main scale.

6.4.5 Chord Scale

The scale which is used to make or to measure angles of any magnitude is known as chord scale. This scale is usually
marked on a rectangular protractor.

6.5 Necessity of Construction of Scale on Drawing

In most of the cases the distances in a drawing is found to be different than the corresponding actual distance.
Therefore, to get the actual measurements, it is a must to know the proportion using which the drawing is prepared.
Sometimes the drawing may need to be prepared to an odd proportion (like 1:2.7 or 13.2:1) for which a physical
scale is not available. In such case individual scale construction is required for that specific drawing. It is often
found helpful and convenient to construct and draw the corresponding scale on the drawing than mentioning the
proportion in language. On the other hand if a drawing is to be used after decades, the paper may shrink or expand
by absorbing or leaving moisture due to temperature effect. Taking measurements from such a drawing using the
proportion mentioned will give some inaccurate result. But if a scale is constructed an drawn during the preparation
of 1st time, the drawn scale will also shrink or expand in the same proportion to the drawing. Thus if one take
measurements with the help of the drawn scale, accurate measurements will be obtained.

6.6 Information Necessary for Construction of a Scale

Following are the necessary information required for construction of a scale:
✓ The representative fraction (R.F.) of the scale.
✓ The unit or units to be presented.
✓ The maximum length to be measured.

6.6.1 The Representative Fraction (R.F.) or Scale Factor (S.F.)

The ratio of the distance on drawing paper of an object to the corresponding actual distance of the object is
known as the representative fraction (R.F.) or the scale factor (S.F.). It is to be remembered that for finding RF
the distances used for calculation must be in same unit. And being a ratio of same units, R.F. itself has no unit.
Mathematically,

. .=
[ ]

6.6.1.1 Worked out Examples of R.F. Calculation

Example 6.1: In a certain map, 2.5 centimeters of measured length represents 5 hectometers of actual distance. Calculate
R.F. for the scale of this map.

Solution:
Representative Fraction of the scale for this map,
.
. .= =
1: 20000
× × × ×

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Example 6.2: To draw a microscopic element of a machine part, it is to be enlarged in drawing such a manner
that one-fifth of one millimeter is to be represented by 1.5 meters. Find out RF of the scale for this drawing.

Solution:
Representative Fraction of the scale,

.× × ×
. .= = 7500
7500: 1

Example 6.3: A scale is to be constructed for a drawing of a plot such that 100 square feet of area is to be represented
by 1 square inch. What will be the R.F. of this scale?

Solution:
Here 1 sq. inch represents 100 sq.ft. or we can write

Taking under root on both sides, we get

, . .= =

1: 120

6.6.2 Units of Measurement

It is modern practice to use metric system of units in engineering drawing. However, sometimes British system
is also used. It is important to have clear understanding about unit conversion in both system. Table 6.2 to Table
6.7 presents the units of measurements, their symbols and conversions.

Table 6.2 Metric Units for Linear Measurement Table 6.3 British Units for Linear
millimeters (mm) = 1 centimeter (cm)
centimeters (cm) = 1 inches = 1 foot
decimeter (dm) feet =
1 yard
decimeters (dm) = 1 meter (m)
yards =
meters (m) =
1 furlong
1 decameter (dam)
furlong =
decameters (dam) = 1
1 mile
hectometer (hm)
Measurement
hectometers (hm) = 1
kilometer (km)

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Table 6.4 Metric Units for Area Measurement Table 6.5 British Units for Area
100 square millimeters (mm2) = 1 square Measurement
centimeter (cm2) 144 square inches = 1 square
100 square centimeters (cm2) = foot
1 square decimeter (dm2) 9 square feet =
100 square decimeters (dm2) = 1 square 1 square yard
meter (m2) 4840 square yards = 1
100 square meters (m2) = 1 acre (a) acre
100 acres (a) = 1 hectare 640 acres =
Table
100 hectares = 1 square mile
1 square kilometer (km2) cubic inches = 1 cubic foot
cubic millimeters (mm3) = 1 cubic centimeter (cm3) 27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard
cubic centimeters (cm3) = 6.6 Metric Units for Volumetric
1 cubic decimeter (dm3) Measurement Table 6.7 British
cubic decimeters (dm3) = 1 cubic Units for Volumetric
meter (m3) Measurement

6.7 Construction of Plain Scale

Following are the steps for constructing a plain scale
✓ Find out the R.F., if not given directly.
✓ Find out the length of scale

= . . × ℎ
ℎ
[Note: If length of object or maximum length to be measured is not mentioned in problem, for convenience,
take the length of scale about 15 cm or 6 inches]
✓ Draw a straight line, preferably horizontal, of required length as found in previous step.
✓ Divide the line into a number of divisions relating to the length of object and maximum length to be measured
such that one segment represents one major unit. Avoid fractions, consider the next integer value. For instance,
if maximum length to be measured is 6.2 km, then number of divisions will be 7.
✓ Place mark 0 at the end of 1st main division (Remember, not at the starting point of 1st division) and mark the
other divisions sequentially toward right as 1,2,3….. etc.
✓ Divide the 1st main division into a number of divisions such that each of these smallest division represents one
sub-unit. For instance if the scale need to measure in feet and inches, number of minor divisions will be 12.
On the other hand if the scale is to measure in centimeters and millimeters or in meters and 1/10th of meter
number of divisions will be 10.
✓ Mark the sub-unit sequentially toward left as 1, 2, 3…… etc. or 0.1, 0.2, 0.3……. etc. If space is limited they
can be marked after every 2 division like 0, 2,4,….. etc.
✓ Mention the R.F. of the scale below the figure.
✓ Mention the name of main unit and sub-unit either at below or at the respective ends of the scale.
6.7.1 Worked-out Examples of Plain Scale Construction

Page 5
Example 6.4: Construct a plain scale to show kilometers and hectometers when 2.5 centimeters are equal to 1
kilometer and long enough to measure upto 5.7 kilometers. Find R.F. of the scale and indicate distances (i) 4
kilometers and 5 hectometers and (ii) 5.4 kilometers on the scale.

Solution:

. .= =
1: 40000

ℎ = . . ×
ℎ
= ×6 = × 6 × 1000 × 100 = 15
[ To avoid fraction, maximum distance is take 6 km instead of 5.7 km ]

Now a horizontal line 15 cm long is drawn and is divided into 6 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2 nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 1 st division is further
divided into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked after every
2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 toward left. R.F. and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the
scale is constructed and the required distances are indicated.

Page 6
Example 6.5: A rectangular plot of land of area 64 square mile is represented on a certain map by area of 1 square
inch. Draw a plain scale to show units of 10 miles and single miles. Find R.F. and mark a distance of 63 mile on
this scale.

Solution: Given,

, . .

= =
1: 506880

Here maximum distance to be measured is not given, but we need to ensure the measuring a distance of
63 mile. Thus we have to construct the scale for 70 miles of maximum distance.

= . . × ℎ

= × 70 = × 70 × 1760 × 3 ℎ = 8.75 ℎ
× 12

Now a horizontal line 8.75 inch long is drawn and is divided into 7 equal parts. From left staring 0 at
2nd division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60. The 1st
division is further divided into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are
marked after every 2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 toward left. R.F. and unit names are mentioned
accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required distances are indicated.

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Example 6.6: A car is moving at a speed of 60 kmph. On a scale one centimeter represents one third of a kilometer.
Construct the scale and show the distance travelled by the car in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. What is the R.F. of
the scale?

Solution:

1 1
. .= =
1:33333
1
33333
3 × 1000 × 100
ℎ = 60 60 1
ℎ = 60 = = ℎ 60 1

ℎ , , ≈1 − − − − − − − −(1)

, ,

Page 8
 (1) (2), ℎ , 1
=3

, ℎ ℎ 15 ,

=5 ℎ ℎ 3
30sec ℎ ℎ

Now a horizontal line 15 cm long is drawn and is divided into 5 equal parts so that each major division
shows one minute. From left staring 0 at 2nd division major units are marked sequentially toward right
as 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The 1st division is further divided into 6 divisions so that each minor division shows
10 seconds and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and
60 toward left. R.F. and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the
required time is indicated.

6.8 Principle of Diagonal Scales

The principle of diagonal scale is to obtain any fractional part of a short line by following the diagonal division
method. In this method we get fractional part of a line, say 1/9th of length, 1/15th of length etc. Let the given
short line AB which is required to be divided into 12 equal parts.

✓ Erect a perpendicular BC of any suitable length and divide it into 12 equal parts.
✓ Join AC and draw lines 1-1’, 2-2’, 3-3’… etc. parallel to AB at each division point. Thus dividing is complete
indirectly.
✓ If you need 1/12th of AB, 1-1’ will be your required length. If you need 2/12th of AB, 2-2’ is your required length.
Similarly 3-3’ represents 3/12th of AB, 4-4’ represents 4/12th of AB and so on.

Page 9
 Fig. 6.1 Diagonal division technique

Proof:
From figure it is obvious that triangle ABC and triangle 4-4’-C are similar triangles.

So, = = =

6.9 Construction of Diagonal Scales

Following are the steps for constructing a plain scale
✓ Find out the R.F., if not given directly. ✓
Find out the length of scale

= . . × ℎ
ℎ
[Note: If data is not available take the length of scale about 15 cm or 6 inches]
✓ Draw a straight line, preferably horizontal, of required length as found in previous step.
✓ Divide the line into a number of divisions relating to the length of object and maximum length to be measured
such that one segment represents one major unit.

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 ✓ Place mark 0 at the end of 1st main division and mark the other divisions sequentially toward right as 1,2,3…..
etc.
✓ Divide the 1st main division into a number of divisions such that each of these sub-divisions represents one 1st
sub-unit. For instance if the scale need to measure in yards, feet and inches, number of horizontal sub-divisions
will be 3. On the other hand if the scale is to measure in decimeter, centimeters and millimeters or in meters,
1/10th of meter and 1/100th of meter number of horizontal sub-divisions will be 10.
✓ Mark the sub-unit sequentially toward left as 1, 2, 3…… etc. or 0.1, 0.2, 0.3……. etc. If space is limited they
can be marked after every 2 division like 0, 2,4,….. etc.
✓ Draw a perpendicular of suitable length at the left end and complete the rectangle considering the two mutually
perpendiculars lines as length of two sides.
✓ Divide the vertical line at left end into a number of divisions such that each of one sub-division represents one
2nd sub-unit. For instance if the scale need to measure in yards, feet and inches, number of vertical sub-
divisions will be 12. On the other hand if the scale is to measure in decimeter, centimeters and millimeters or
in meters, 1/10th of meter and 1/100th of meter number of vertical subdivisions will be 10.
✓ At each vertical sub-division point draw a line parallel to the baseline.
✓ Draw a diagonal line by joining left-top corner point and the horizontal sub-division point immediately before
the left-bottom corner. At every horizontal sub-division point draw a parallel line to this diagonal line.
✓ Mention the R.F. of the scale below the figure.
✓ Mention the name of main unit and sub-units either at below or at the respective ends of the scale.

6.9.1 Worked-out Examples of Diagonal Scale Construction

Example 6.7: Construct a diagonal scale to show kilometers, hectometers and decameters when 2.5 centimeters
are equal to 1 kilometer and long enough to measure upto 5.7 kilometers. Find R.F. of the scale and indicate
distances
(i) 4 kilometers 5 hectometers 4 decameters and (ii) 5.86 kilometers on the scale.

Solution:

. .= =
1: 40000

ℎ = . . ×
ℎ
= ×6 = × 6 × 1000 × 100 = 15
[ To avoid fraction, maximum distance is take 6 km instead of 5.7 km ]

Now a horizontal line 15cm long is drawn and is divided into 6 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 1st division is further
divided into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked after every
2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one major
division is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as two sides.
The vertical line at left end is divided into 10 equal parts and at each division point a line parallel and
equal length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 9hm is connected
with a diagonal line. At the remaining 9 horizontal sub-division points parallel lines are drawn to the 1st
Page 11
diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward top at every 2 division as
2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are drawn. R.F. and unit names
are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required distances are indicated.

Page 12
Example

6.8:

Construct a diagonal scale that measures 1 inch for an equivalent actual length of 1 yard, can show yards, feet and
inches and can measure length up to 6 yds. Also show 2 yds. 2 ft 5 inch on it.

Solution:

. .= =
1: 36

ℎ = . . × ℎ

= ×6 = × 6 × 3 × 12 ℎ = 6 ℎ

Now a horizontal line 6 inch long is drawn and is divided into 6 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 1st division is
further divided into 3 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked as 1,
2 and 3 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one major division is drawn and a
rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as two sides. The vertical line at
left end is divided into 12 equal parts and at each division point a line parallel and equal length of the
base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 2ft is connected with a diagonal line.
At the remaining two horizontal sub-division points parallel lines are drawn to the 1st diagonal line.
Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward top at every 2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
and 12. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are drawn. R.F. and unit names are
mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required distances are indicated.

Page 13
 6.9:

In a certain engineering drawing 1m length is represented by 20mm. Construct a scale for this drawing showing
meters, decimeters and centimeters and measure 2 meters, 5 decimeters and 8 centimeters on it.

Solution:

. .= =
1: 50
Maximum measuring length is not given here. Assume the drawing scale length is 15 cm (standard
value).
ℎ 15
ℎ = = = 750 = 7.5
. . 1/50
As the maximum length is a fractional number , so number of major division may either be 7 (for which
maximum measuring length will be 7 m) or 8 (for which maximum measuring length will be 8 m). Both
are acceptable as we have to show a distance only 2m 5dm 8cm on this scale. Let us take 7.
Now a horizontal line 15cm long is drawn and is divided into 7 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The 1st division is
further divided into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked
after every 2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one
major division is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as
two sides. The vertical line at left end is divided into 10 equal parts and at each division point a line
parallel and equal length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 9dm
is connected with a diagonal line. At the remaining 9 horizontal sub-division points parallel lines are
drawn to the 1st diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward top at
every 2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are
drawn. R.F. and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required
distances are indicated.

Page 14
 6.10: Construct a scale to read 1m to 300m.

Maximum measuring length is given here i.e. 300 m. Considering a drawing scale length as 15 cm.

ℎ= . . ℎ

ℎ 15 1
. . = = =
1: 2000
ℎ 300 × 100 2000

Here, we have to measure single meter as well as 300 meter. So our major unit should be 100th of meters, 1st sub-
unit should be 10th of meter and 2nd sub-unit or diagonal sub-unit should be single meters.

Now a horizontal line 15cm long is drawn and is divided into 3 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, and 2. The 1st division is further divided
into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked after every 2 division
as 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one major division
is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as two sides. The
vertical line at left end is divided into 10 equal parts and at each division point a line parallel and equal
length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 90m is connected with a
diagonal line. At the remaining 9 horizontal sub-division points parallel lines are drawn to the 1st
diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward top at every 2 division as
2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are drawn. R.F. and unit names
are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required distances are indicated.

Page 15
 6.11: On a map 1 inch represents 1 mile. Construct a scale to read miles, furlongs and minimum 20
yards distance and mark 4 miles 6 furlongs and 120 yards on it.

Solution:

Here given, 1 inch = 1 mile

1inch 1 1
R.F.
1mile 1 1760 3 12 63360
Here maximum measuring length is not given. Let us assume the drawing scale length is 6 inch.

Maximum measuring length = Drawing scale length R.F.

6 6 63360 = 380160 inch = 6 miles

Now a horizontal line 6 inch long is drawn and is divided into 6 equal parts. From left staring 0 at 2 nd
division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 1st division is further
divided into 8 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked after every 2
division as 2, 4, 6 and 80 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one major division
is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as two sides. The
vertical line at left end is divided into 11 equal parts and at each division point a line parallel and equal
length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 7 furlongs is connected
with a diagonal line. At the remaining 7 horizontal sub-division points parallel lines are drawn to the 1st
diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward top at every 2 division as
20, 60, 100, 140, 180 and 220. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are drawn. R.F.
and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required distances are
indicated.

Page 16
 :

6.12:

An engineering drawing is prepared for microscopic parts of a machine. It is required to construct a scale for this
drawing that can measure in millimeters, 1/10th of single millimeter and 1/100th of single millimeters. The scale
should be such that 4mm length is represented by 10cm and it should be able to measure upto 5mm. Construct
the scale and measure 3.33mm and 1.09mm on this scale.

Solution:

. .= = 25
25: 1

ℎ = . . ×
ℎ

=
25 × 5= 125 = 12.5
Now a horizontal line 12.5cm long is drawn and is divided into 5 equal parts. From left staring 0 at
2 division major units are marked sequentially toward right as 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The 1st division is
nd

further divided into 10 divisions and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked
after every 2 division as 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to
one major division is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines
as two sides. The vertical line at left end is divided into 10 equal parts and at each division point a line
parallel and equal length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to
0.9mm is connected with a diagonal line. At the remaining 9 horizontal sub-division points parallel
lines are drawn to the 1st diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward

Page 17
top at every 2 division as 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08. At all the horizontal major division points vertical
lines are drawn. R.F. and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the
required distances are indicated.

6.13:

An aeroplane is flying at a speed of 360 kmph. Draw a scale to represent 6 km by 1 cm and to show distance upto
60 km. Find R.F. of the scale and on the scale show distances covered by the aeroplane in
1. 3 minutes 22 seconds
2. 5 minutes 36 seconds

Solution:
1 1 16 6 × 1000 × 100 600000
. .= = =
1: 600000

ℎ = . . × ℎ

= × 60 =

× 60 × 1000 × 100 = 10

360 360 1

Page 18
 = 360 ℎ= = =
1 ℎ 60

∴1 … ……
…… … …… …… … (1)
From R.F.,
6 ≈1
∴1 ≈ … …… …… … …… … …… (2)
From equations (1) and (2), ≈ ∴ 1≈ 1
Now a horizontal line 10cm long is drawn and is divided into 10 equal parts so that each division
represents 1 minute. From left staring 0 at 2nd division major units are marked sequentially toward
right as 0, 1, 2, 3…… and 9. The 1st division is further divided into 6 divisions so that each sub-
division represents 10 seconds and starting at 0 mark placed earlier the sub-divisions are marked after
every 2 division as 20, 40 and 60 toward left. At left end a perpendicular of length equal to one major
division is drawn and a rectangle is completed considering the mutually perpendicular lines as two
sides. The vertical line at left end is divided into 10 equal parts and at each division point a line
parallel and equal length of the base line is drawn. Top left corner and the point corresponding to 50
seconds is connected with a diagonal line. At the remaining 5 horizontal sub-division points parallel
lines are drawn to the 1st diagonal line. Vertical divisions are marked sequentially from bottom toward
top at every 2 division as 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. At all the horizontal major division points vertical lines are
drawn. R.F. and unit names are mentioned accordingly. Thus the scale is constructed and the required
distances are indicated.

Page 19
Review Questions
1. Why have you studied scale?
2. Define scale. When scale becomes necessary?
3. Why have you learned to draw scale? In which situation scale is to be drawn along with the drawing?
4. Classify scales according to scale size. Define each type and give practical examples.
5. Classify scale according to measurement capacity. Define each type.
6. Which scales are usually used by engineers?
7. Differentiate between plain and diagonal scale.
8. Which information you think necessary to construct a scale?
9. Define R.F.
10. What is the unit of R.F.? Give logic to your answer.
11. What do you understand when an R.F. is found to be more/less than unity?
12. Is it possible to get a negative/zero value of R.F.? Give logic to your answer.
13. It is mentioned in a drawing that R.F. = 1:5. What is its meaning?
14. It is mentioned in a drawing that R.F. = 2:1. What is its meaning?
15. On a map of Bangladesh you measured the distance from Dinajpur to Dhaka as 6 inch. Actually the
distance is 500 miles. What is the R.F. of this map?
16. What should be the possible R.F. for drawing a microscopic element of length 1 nanometer?
17. A 15 cm scale measures a maximum length of 10 km. What is its R.F.?
18. If 9 hectares of area is represented by 1mm2 in a map, what is the value of R.F.?
19. During the construction of scale why the zero notation placed at 2nd division?
20. How can you divide a 1mm line in 7 equal parts?
Draw a qualitative diagram of a plain/diagonal scale and show a distance.

Page 20