Using math to reduce # for a scale model ?

[Karel]

OK, my head is spinning so it's time to ask for help. Disclaimer: I am not good at math, so don't laugh.

My son has to build a model of the Alamo. Obviously, the Alamo is big and we want to make it small.

The largest wall in the Alamo is 537'5. How do we reduce that into inches?

And how do we take the other various lengths and reduce them?

I have a terrible headache!

 

[NewJersey]

The simplest way would determine a scale of say 15 feet = 1 inch or so and then divide each of the alamo's actualy dimensions by 15 feet, or whatever the scale you determine.

At least I think that's how you do it.

 

[freckles and boo]

About how big do you want the finished model to be? What is a managable size for him? At 1"=20' that wall on the model will still be over 26" long, which is pretty large. You can pick up both architectural and engineering scale rules at most Staples, Office Maxes, etc.

 

[Karel]

Whoa. I think I have it.

So I divided everything by 30...so it's like 537 divided by 30 gives me x number of inches. Is that right?

 

[Karel]

About how big do you want the finished model to be? What is a managable size for him? At 1"=20' that wall on the model will still be over 26" long, which is pretty large. You can pick up both architectural and engineering scale rules at most Staples, Office Maxes, etc.

I measured the board we are using and kept dividing by a larger number until we got the size we needed. I have to check and make sure there is enough room going the other way too.

 

[freckles and boo]

Whoa. I think I have it.

So I divided everything by 30...so it's like 537 divided by 30 gives me x number of inches. Is that right?

Yep. That is basically it. You don't mention how old your child is, but unless he is studying architecture or something I am sure you can probably round to the nearest 6" or so. Have fun!

 

[clh2]

Whatever you do to one length, do it to all lengths.

First off, for sake of not ruining your sanity, make sure all your measurements are in feet. Now...forget they are in feet, and pretend they are in inches. You've just reduced the longest wall to 537.5 inches - and you've not even "done" anything yet, yet your model is 1/12th the size.

From here, you need to decide about what size you want the finished product to be. I'm not up on my Alamo dimensions. What happens to the size of the product if you want the longest wall to be 20 inches? If that would work for you, then divide all lengths by 26.875. If you would prefer the longest wall to be about 10 inches, then divide all numbers by 53.75.

Hope this helps!

 

[Karel]

Thanks everyone! I've got it now. I just needed a shove in the right direction. Math is so much easier when you talk it out!

 

[mickeyfan2]

1/4" to the foot is a common scale.

 

[freckles and boo]

1/4" to the foot is a common scale.

That would make for a pretty big model in this case! Over 11 feet long. Eek.

 

[stevenpensacola]

That would make for a pretty big model in this case! Over 11 feet long. Eek.

I remember the offbeat comedian Stephen Wright used to joke that he had a map of the world that was 1:1 Scale......perhaps we'd seen it....

 

[mickeyfan2]

That would make for a pretty big model in this case! Over 11 feet long. Eek.

The do 1/4" to 10 ft and it would be l.l feet long.