The 6 Types of Scale and Their Characteristics

2006
Abraham McLaughlin

The types of scale They can be classified in natural scale, reduction, enlargement, numerical, unit by unit and graphical. Each has distinctive characteristics and is used for a variety of applications..

A scale is the mathematical relationship that exists between the dimensions represented in a drawing (be it a map, a plan, a scheme, 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: scale of enlargement, full scale and scale of reduction.

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 each 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.

Article index

  • 1 Types of scales according to the relationship between the real object and its representation
    • 1.1 - Natural scale
    • 1.2 - Reduction scale
    • 1.3 - Scale of enlargement
  • 2 Types of scales according to the way they are represented
    • 2.1 - Numerical scale
    • 2.2 - Unit by unit scale
    • 2.3 - Graphic scale
  • 3 References

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 of little dimension, so that the entire extension of these can be represented on paper..

The above shot shows a life-size example of a Krogan hammer (weapon from the Mass Effect video game) ... This means that the size of the object drawn is the same as the real object. Scale 1: 1.

- 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 in the plan equals 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 extensive..

The image presented is a plan of the facade of a house, in which a reduction scale has been used. 1:25 scale.

In the previous image, scales of reduction of territory are presented. From left to right: 1: 250000, 1: 100000, 1: 24000

- Magnification scale

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 nut or a special screw).

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 from the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).
  • 100: 1 (one hundred centimeters of the drawing represents one centimeter of reality).

The image shows an enlarged representation of a screw. Scale 2: 1.

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.

The numerical scale is the most used in cartography. In this, the numbers represent centimeters. In the image, three examples of number scales are shown: 1:25, 1:12, 1: 6.

- 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: 1cm = 200km.

On the unit-by-unit scale, the representation of the object-reality relationship is done through metric units (centimeters, meters, kilometers), which are explicitly presented on the plane or map.. In the image, a scale of 1/4 "= 1'0" is shown.

- 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..

Graphic scales make use of graphics (hence the name) to represent the relationship between the real object and the drawn object..

In the image, an example of a graphic scale is shown (see upper right corner).

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.

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