Aditya College of Engineering and Technology

SCALES

Scales
1. Basic Information
2. Types and important units

4. Diagonal Scales information

5. Diagonal Scales (3 Problems)
6. Comparative Scales (3 Problems)
7. Vernier Scales information
8. Vernier Scales (2 Problems)

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3. Plain Scales (3 Problems)

10m
10cm
10m

Actual Length

10cm

Drawing Length

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Usually the word scale is used for an instrument used for

drawing straight lines. But actually in Engineers language scale
means the proportion or ratio between the dimensions adopted
for the drawing and the corresponding dimensions of the object.
It can be indicated in two different ways.
Example: The actual dimensions of the room say 10m x 8m
cannot be adopted on the drawing. In suitable proportion the
dimensions should be reduced in order to adopt conveniently on
the drawing sheet. If the room is represented by a rectangle of
10cm x 8cm size on the drawing sheet that means the actual
size is reduced by 100 times.

Representing scales: The proportion between the drawing and

the object can be represented bytwoways as follows:
a) Scale:- 1cm = 1m or 1cm=100cm or 1:100

There arethreetypes of scales depending upon the proportion it

indicates as
1. Reducing scale: When the dimensions on the drawing are
smaller than the actual dimensions of the object. It is represented
by the scale and RF as
Scale: - 1cm=100cm or 1:100 and by RF=1/100 (less than one)
2. Full scale: Some times the actual dimensions of the object will
be adopted on the drawing then in that case it is represented by
the scale and RF as
Scale: - 1cm = 1cm or 1:1 and by R.F=1/1 (equal to one).
3. Enlarging scale: In some cases when the objects are very
small like inside parts of a wrist watch, the dimensions adopted on
the drawing will be bigger than the actual dimensions of the

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b) Representative Fraction: - (RF) = 1/100 (less than one) i.e.

the ratio between the size of the drawing and the object.

USE FOLLOWING FORMULAS FOR THE CALCULATIONS IN THIS TOPIC.

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BE FRIENDLY WITH THESE UNITS.

KILOMETRE
HECTOMETRE
DECAMETRE
METRE
DECIMETRE
CENTIMETRE

=
=
=
=
=
=

10
10
10
10
10
10

HECTOMETRES
DECAMETRES
METRES
DECIMETRES
CENTIMETRES
MILIMETRES

1 YARD = 3 FEET
1 FEET = 12 INCHS
1 INCH = 2.54Cm

TYPES OF SCALES:
1.
2.
3.
4.

PLAIN SCALES
( FOR DIMENSIONS UP TO SINGLE DECIMAL)
DIAGONAL SCALES
( FOR DIMENSIONS UP TO TWO DECIMALS)
VERNIER SCALES
( FOR DIMENSIONS UP TO TWO DECIMALS)
COMPARATIVE SCALES ( FOR COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT UNITS)

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1
1
1
1
1
1

PLAIN SCALE:- This type of scale represents two

units or a unit and its sub-division.

PLAIN SCALE

PROBLEM NO.1:- Draw a scale 1 cm = 1m to read decimeters, to

measure maximum distance of 6 m. Show on it a distance of 4
m and 6 dm.
CONSTRUCTION:DIMENSION OF DRAWING
a) Calculate R.F.=
DIMENSION OF OBJECT

R.F.= 1cm/ 1m = 1/100

Length of scale = R.F. X max. distance
= 1/100 X 600 cm
= 6 cms
b) Draw a line 6 cm long and divide it in 6 equal parts. Each part will represent larger division unit.
c) Sub divide the first part which will represent second unit or fraction of first unit.
d) Place ( 0 ) at the end of first unit. Number the units on right side of Zero and subdivisions
on left-hand side of Zero. Take height of scale 5 to 10 mm for getting a look of scale.
e) After construction of scale mention its RF and name of scale as shown.
f) Show the distance 4 m 6 dm on it as shown.

4 M 6 DM

10
DECIMETERS

R.F. = 1/100
PLANE SCALE SHOWING METERS AND DECIMETERS.

5
METERS

PROBLEM NO.2:- In a map a 36 km distance is shown by

a line 45 cms long. Calculate the R.F. and construct a
plain scale to read kilometers and hectometers, for max.
12 km. Show a distance of 8.3 km on it.

PLAIN SCALE

CONSTRUCTION:a) Calculate R.F.

R.F.= 45 cm/ 36 km = 45/ 36 X1000 X 100 = 1/ 80,000
Length of scale = R.F. X max. distance
= 1/ 80000 X 12 km
= 15 cm
b) Draw a line 15 cm long and divide it in 12 equal parts. Each part will represent larger
division unit.
c) Sub divide the first part which will represent second unit or fraction of first unit.
d) Place ( 0 ) at the end of first unit. Number the units on right side of Zero and
subdivisions
on left-hand side of Zero. Take height of scale 5 to 10 mm for getting a look of scale.
e) After construction of scale mention its RF and name of scale as shown.
f) Show the distance 8.3 km on it as shown.
8KM 3HM

10

HECTOMETERS

R.F. = 1/80,000
PLANE SCALE SHOWING KILOMETERS AND HECTOMETERS

10

11

KILOMETERS

PROBLEM NO.3:- The distance between two stations is 210

km. A passenger train covers this distance in 7 hours.
Construct a plain scale to measure time up to a single minute.
RF is 1/200,000 Indicate the distance traveled by train in 29
minutes.

PLAIN SCALE

CONSTRUCTION:a) 210 km in 7 hours. Means speed of the train is 30 km per hour ( 60 minutes)
Length of scale = R.F. X max. distance per hour
= 1/ 2,00,000 X 30km
= 15 cm
b) 15 cm length will represent 30 km and 1 hour i.e. 60 minutes.
Draw a line 15 cm long and divide it in 6 equal parts. Each part will represent 5 km and 10 minutes.
c) Sub divide the first part in 10 equal parts, which will represent second unit or fraction of first unit.
Each smaller part will represent distance traveled in one minute.
d) Place ( 0 ) at the end of first unit. Number the units on right side of Zero and subdivisions
on left-hand side of Zero. Take height of scale 5 to 10 mm for getting a proper look of scale.
e) Show km on upper side and time in minutes on lower side of the scale as shown.
After construction of scale mention its RF and name of scale as shown.
f) Show the distance traveled in 29 minutes, which is 14.5 km, on it as shown.

DISTANCE TRAVELED IN 29 MINUTES.

14.5 KM

KM

MIN

10

2.5

10

15

20

25

10

20

30

40

50 MINUTES

R.F. = 1/100
PLANE SCALE SHOWING METERS AND DECIMETERS.

KM

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PLAIN SCALES:
1.Construct a plain scale to show meters when 1 centimetre
represents 4 metres and long enough to measure up to 50 metres.
Find the R.F. and mark on your scale a distance of 36 metres.
2.A room of 1000m3 volume is represented by a block of 125 cm3
volume. Find the R.F. and construct a plain scale to measure up to
30 m. Measure a distance of 18 m on your scale.
3.Construct a plain scale of R.F. = 1/35000 to show kilometres and
hectometres and long enough to measure 5 km. Indicate a
distance of 1.8 km and 3.9 km on your scale.
4.Construct a scale of 1.5 inches = 1 foot to show inches and long
enough to measure upto 4 feet. Mark on it 3ft.10 in, 2ft.8 in. On
your scale.

DIAGONAL
SCALE

Y
10

X
10

PROBLEM NO. 4 : The distance between Delhi and Agra is 200 km.
In a railway map it is represented by a line 5 cm long. Find its R.F.
Draw a diagonal scale to show single km. And maximum 600 km.
Indicate on it following distances. 1) 222 km 2) 336 km 3) 459 km 4) 569 km
SOLUTION STEPS:

1.

RF = 5 cm / 200 km = 1 / 40, 00, 000

Length of scale = 1 / 40, 00, 000 X 600 X 105 = 15 cm

Draw a line 15 cm long. It will represent 600 km.Divide it in six equal parts.( each will represent
100 km.)
Divide first division in ten equal parts. Each will represent 10 km.
Draw a line upward from left end and mark 10 parts on it of any distance.
Name those parts 0 to 10 as shown.
Join 9th sub-division of horizontal scale with 10th division of the vertical divisions.
Then draw parallel lines to this line from remaining sub divisions and complete diagonal scale.
569 km
459 km
336 km

KM

222 km

KM

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

100

50

100

200

300

R.F. = 1 / 40,00,000
DIAGONAL SCALE SHOWING KILOMETERS.

400

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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

DIAGONAL
SCALE

500KM

PROBLEM NO.5: A rectangular plot of land measuring 1.28 hectors is

represented on a map by a similar rectangle of 8 sq. cm. Calculate RF of
the scale. Draw a diagonal scale to read single meter. Show a distance of
438 m on it.
1.
2.

4.
5.

Draw a line 15 cm long. It will represent 600

m. Divide it in six equal parts.(each will
represent 100 m.)
Divide first division in ten equal parts. Each
will represent 10 m.
Draw a line upward from left end and mark 10
parts on it of any distance.
Name those parts 0 to 10 as shown. Join 9th
sub-division of horizontal scale with 10th
division of the vertical divisions.
Then draw parallel lines to this line from
remaining sub divisions and complete
diagonal scale.

438 meters
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

100

50

100

200

300

R.F. = 1 / 4000
DIAGONAL SCALE SHOWING METERS.

400

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3.

DIAGONAL
SCALE

500M

PROBLEM NO.6:. Draw a diagonal scale of R.F. 1: 2.5, showing centimeters

and millimeters and long enough to measure up to 20 centimeters.

DIAGONAL
SCALE

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SOLUTION STEPS:
R.F. = 1 / 2.5
Length of scale = 1 / 2.5 X 20 cm.
= 8 cm.
1.Draw a line 8 cm long and divide it in to 4 equal parts.
(Each part will represent a length of 5 cm.)
2.Divide the first part into 5 equal divisions.
(Each will show 1 cm.)
3.At the left hand end of the line, draw a vertical line and
on it step-off 10 equal divisions of any length.
4.Complete the scale as explained in previous problems.
Show the distance 13.4 cm on it.

MM

13 .4 CM

CM

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

5 4 3 2 1 0

10

R.F. = 1 / 2.5
DIAGONAL SCALE SHOWING CENTIMETERS.

15

CENTIMETRES

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DIAGONAL SCALES:
1.A line 10cm long in a building plan represents a distance of 5m. Draw a diagonal
scale to read up to 6m, decimetres and centimetres. Mark the length 3.24m and
5.57m.
2.The distance between Hyderabad and Vijayawada is 352km. On a map it is
represented by a line of length 70.4mm. What is the R.F to which the map has been
drawn? Draw a diagonal scale of the RF to read upto one kilometre and long enough
to measure 800km. Mark on the scale the following 549km and 208km.
3.A rectangular plot of land of area 4500 sq.m is represented by a rectangle of
5sq.cm. Calculate the R.F of the scale of the map. Construct a diagonal scale to read
upto maximum of single km from the map. The scale should be long enough to
measure upto 500m. Mark on the scale 338m, 469m.
4.A car is moving at a speed of 360 km/hour. Draw a diagonal scale to represent
6km by 1cm to show a maximum distance of 60km. Measure the distance travelled
by the car at 6minutes 10 seconds.
5.A car is running at a speed of 50km/hour. Construct a diagonal scale to show 1 km
by 3 cm and to measure upto 6km. Mark also on the scale the distance covered by
the car in 5min and 28 sec.
6.Construct a diagonal scale of R.F = 1/32 showing yards, feets and inches and to
measure upto 4 yards.

Vernier Scales:
These scales, like diagonal scales , are used to read to a very small unit with great
accuracy.
It consists of two parts a primary scale and a vernier. The primary scale is a plain scale
fully divided into minor divisions.
As it would be difficult to sub-divide the minor divisions in ordinary way, it is done with
the help of the vernier. The graduations on vernier are derived from those on the
primary scale.

Figure to the right shows a part of a plain scale in

which length A-O represents 10 cm. If we divide A-O
into ten equal parts, each will be of 1 cm. Now it
would not be easy to divide each of these parts into
ten equal divisions to get measurements in
millimeters.

Now if we take a length BO equal to 10 + 1 = 11

such equal parts, thus representing 11 cm, and
divide it into ten equal divisions, each of these
divisions will represent 11 / 10 1.1 cm.
The difference between one part of AO and one
division of BO will be equal 1.1 1.0 = 0.1 cm or 1
mm.
This difference is called Least Count of the scale.
Minimum this distance can be measured by this
scale.
The upper scale BO is the vernier.The combination
of plain scale and the vernier is vernier scale.

9.9

7.7

A 9 8 7

5.5

3.3

1.1 0

6 5 4 3 2 1

Example 1: Draw a vernier scale of RF = 1 / 25 to read

centimeters upto 4 meters and on it, show lengths 2.39 m and
0.91 m
CONSTRUCTION: ( vernier)
Take 11 parts of Dm length and divide it in 10 equal parts.
SOLUTION:
Each will show 0.11 m or 1.1 dm or 11 cm and construct a
Length of scale = RF X max. Distance
rectangle
= 1 / 25 X 4 X 100
Covering these parts of vernier.
= 16 cm

VERNIER SCALE

CONSTRUCTION: ( Main scale)

Draw a line 16 cm long.
Divide it in 4 equal parts.
( each will represent meter )
Sub-divide each part in 10 equal parts.
( each will represent decimeter )
Name those properly.

TO MEASURE GIVEN LENGTHS:

(1) For 2.39 m : Subtract 0.99 from 2.39 i.e. 2.39 - .99 =
1.4 m
The distance between 0.99 ( left of Zero) and 1.4 (right of
Zero) is 2.39 m
(2) For 0.91 m : Subtract 0.11 from 0.91 i.e. 0.91 0.11
=0.80 m
The distance between 0.11 and 0.80 (both left side of Zero)
2.39 m is 0.91 m

0.91 m
1.1 .99

.77 .55

.33 .11 0

1.0 .9 .8 .7 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2 .1 0
METERS

1.4

3 METERS

Example 2: A map of size 500cm X 50cm wide represents an area of 6250 sq.Kms.
Construct a vernier scale to measure kilometers, hectometers and decameters
and long enough to measure upto 7 km. Indicate on it a) 5.33 km b) 59 decameters.
CONSTRUCTION: ( Main scale)
Draw a line 14 cm long.
Divide it in 7 equal parts.
( each will represent km )
Sub-divide each part in 10 equal parts.
( each will represent hectometer )
Name those properly.

CONSTRUCTION: ( vernier)
Take 11 parts of hectometer part
length and divide it in 10 equal parts.
Each will show 1.1 hm m or 11 dm
and
Covering in a rectangle complete
scale.
59 dm
Decameters
99

90

77

70

55

50

10
HECTOMETERS

VERNIER SCALE

TO MEASURE GIVEN LENGTHS:

a) For 5.33 km :
Subtract 0.33 from 5.33
i.e. 5.33 - 0.33 = 5.00
The distance between 33 dm
( left of Zero) and 5.00 (right of
Zero) is 5.33 k m
(b) For 59 dm :
Subtract 0.99 from 0.59
i.e. 0.59 0.99 = - 0.4 km
( - ve sign means left of Zero)
The distance between 99 dm
and
- .4 km is 59 dm
(both left side of Zero)

5.33 km
33

11

30

10

6
KILOMETERS

VERNIER SCALES:
1.Construct a vernier scale to read distance correct to decametre on a map in
which the actual distance are reduced in the ratio of 1:20000. The scale should
be long enough to measure up to 4 km. Mark on the scale a length of 2.46 km
and 3.28km.
2.An industrial estate of 6 sq. Km. Area is represented on a map by an area of
24 sq. Cm. Construct a vernier scale to show kilometre, hectometre, and
decametre. Indicate on the scale a distance of 1km,3hm and 2dam.
3.Construct a vernier scale of RF= 4 to show cm, 1/10th of cm and 1/100th of
cm to read up to 10cm. Mark on the scale the lengths 4.82cm, 6.25cm and
8.32cm.
4.A distance of 3 cm measured on a map corresponds to an actual distance of
450 meters. Construct a backward vernier scale long enough to measure 3000
meters correct up to a decameter. Mark on the scale the following distances
(1) 1.54 km (2)390 meters.
5.Construct a vernier scale when 1.5 cm represents 1.2 metre, to read upto 20
metre, and mark on the scale the lengths 15.65m and 12.37 m.
6.An underpass of a flyover has a size of 270m x 10m x 10m. It is represented
on a model by a volume of 8cu.cm. What is the RF? Construct a diagonal scale
to read up to 300m. Mark the distance 199m and 8m on the scale.

THANK YOU