Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy–MediumReading a scale drawing
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
On a scale drawing, 2 centimetres represent 5 metres. A wall measures 7 centimetres on the drawing. How long is the actual wall, in metres?
Answer: 17.5 or 35/2
Each centimetre represents 5/2 = 2.5 metres, so 7 centimetres represent 7 × 2.5 = 17.5 metres.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 14
- 14 is 7 × 2, using the 2 from the scale as the multiplier. Each centimetre is 2.5 metres.
- If you answered 35
- 35 is 7 × 5, ignoring that 5 metres corresponds to 2 centimetres, not 1.
- If you answered 2.8
- 2.8 is 7 × 2/5, scaling the wrong way; the actual wall is longer than its drawing.
More Problem-Solving and Data Analysis questions
- Easy–Medium
A jacket originally priced at $80 is discounted by 25%. What is the sale price? - Easy–Medium
A bag contains 3 red, 5 blue, and 2 green marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability i… - Easy–Medium
A recipe uses 2 cups of flour to make 3 servings. How many cups of flour are needed for 12 servings? - Easy–Medium
What is the median of the data set 4, 7, 7, 9, 13? - Easy–Medium
The ratio of dogs to cats at a shelter is 5 to 3. If there are 40 dogs, how many cats are there? - Easy–Medium
A printer produces 8 pages every 5 seconds. At this rate, how many pages does it produce in 1 minute?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.