Question

a scale drawing of a house uses a scale of 0.5 inches = 2 feet. what is the length in inches of a line in the scale drawing that represents an actual length of 5 feet?

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let $x$ be the length in inches on the scale - drawing. The scale is $0.5$ inches : $2$ feet. We want to find $x$ for an actual length of $5$ feet. The proportion is $\frac{0.5}{2}=\frac{x}{5}$.

Step2: Cross - multiply

Cross - multiplying gives us $2x = 0.5\times5$.

Step3: Simplify the right - hand side

$0.5\times5 = 2.5$, so $2x=2.5$.

Step4: Solve for $x$

Dividing both sides by 2, we get $x=\frac{2.5}{2}=1.25$.

Answer:

$1.25$ inches