THE 6 TYPES OF SCALE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - SCIENCE - 2025

The scale types can be classified into full- scale, reduction, enlargement, number, unit and graphics unit. Each has distinctive characteristics and is used for various applications.

A scale is the mathematical relationship that exists between the dimensions represented in a drawing (be it a map, a plan, a diagram, among others) and the actual dimensions of the drawn object. This type of scale is often called a cartographic scale to differentiate it from other types (such as musical scales).

From left to right: enlargement scale, natural scale and reduction scale.

The scales in the planes are usually represented by two magnitudes separated by a colon (:), where the first represents the dimension in the plane and the second represents the real dimension. For example, a 1: 1000 scale means that every centimeter (1) in the drawing represents one thousand centimeters (1000) in real life.

In the area of ​​cartography, there are two ways to classify scales:

According to the relationship that exists between the represented object and its drawing, there are three types of scale: the natural scale, the reduction scale and the enlargement scale.

According to the graphic form (the signs) that are used to express the relationship between the represented object and its drawing, one can speak of numerical scales, unit-by-unit scales, and graphic scales.

Types of scales according to the relationship between the real object and its representation

- Natural scale

The natural scale is one in which the dimensions represented in the drawing are equal to those of reality. Numerically, it is represented as 1: 1.

It is used with objects that are small in size, so that the full extent of these can be represented on paper.

- Reduction scale

The reduction scale is one in which the dimensions represented in the drawing are smaller than the dimensions of the real object. There are several reduction scales, and they can be classified according to their use:

Those used for large mechanical parts (such as cars), for example 1: 5 (in which one centimeter of the drawing represents five centimeters of reality).

When used in plans of apartments, houses and buildings, for example 1:50 (one centimeter on the plan equals 50 centimeters of reality) and 1: 100 (one centimeter on the plan equals one meter of reality).

Those used in maps of territories, for example 1: 100000 (in which each centimeter on the map is equivalent to one kilometer), 1: 250000 (one centimeter is equal to two and a half kilometers), 1: 500000 (in the that one centimeter in the plane represents five kilometers from reality).

In these cases, the reduction is much greater than in the previous cases, because the area represented is very large.

- Scale of magnification

The magnification scale is one in which the dimensions represented in the drawing are greater than those of the real object.

This type of scale is used when you want to show the details of the represented object, which must be small (for example, a smaller mechanical part, such as a special nut or bolt).

The most common magnification scales are:

• 2: 1 (every two centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
• 5: 1 (five centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
• 10: 1 (every ten centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
• 20: 1 (twenty centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
• 50: 1 (fifty centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
• 100: 1 (one hundred centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).

Types of scales according to the way they are represented

- Numerical scale

Scales are usually represented by two numbers separated by a colon (:), for example 1: 100. This type of representation is known as a numerical scale in which each of the numbers represents a magnitude expressed in centimeters.

This is the most common way of representing scales in cartography.

- Scale unit by unit

Another way to represent scales is through the direct use of metric units. In this case, the units are separated by an equality (=), in which the first number represents the measurement on the map while the second represents reality.

For example: 1 cm = 200 km.

- Graphic scale

The last case of representation of scales is through the use of graphics. The graphic scales are included in the plan and show the proportion of the drawing with respect to reality through measurements that resemble those used in measuring instruments, such as rulers.

References

1. Scales (map). Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from wikipedia.org
2. Cartographic scales. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, degeospace.edu.au
3. Types of scales. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from geographer-miller.com
4. Map - Map scales. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from britannica.org
5. Mesuarement scales in cartography. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from tandfonline.com
6. Scale. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from support.esri.com
7. Scale. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from infoplease.com
8. Graphic scale. Retrieved on June 10, 2017, from muskingum.edu.