Engineering

Drawing II
Scale Development
 Representative Fraction
Representative fraction (RF) is the ratio of the length in
scale to the actual length.

Mathematically,
RF = Length in scale ÷ Actual Length
 Why RFs are used?
To present a figure of a relatively larger object in a
small sheet of paper.

To present a figure of a relatively

smaller object in a relatively larger
sheet of paper.
Examples of Uses of RFs

In drawing maps
In drawing road locations
In drawing house plans
In presenting enlarged figures of
microscopic objects; i.e. bacterial cells,
amoebas etc.
Significance of RF values
RF greater than 1
Used in presenting enlarged
figures of relatively small objects.

RF less than 1
Used in presenting reduced
figures of relatively larger
objects.
Different Types of Scales
Plain Scale:
• It is simply a line which is divided into a suitable number of
equal parts, first of which is sub-divided into small parts.
• It is used to represent either two units or a unit and its fraction.
Such as m and dm.
• Used where the required scale divisions are relatively big.
• Easier to use for its simplicity.

Diagonal Scale
• It is used to represent either three units of measurements. Such
as m cm and dm
• Used where the required scale divisions are relatively small.
• Provides much accuracy.
• Complex to construct and use.
 Construction of Plain
Scales
Example 1
The distance between Dhaka and
Feni is 175 km. A passenger train
covers the distance in 5 hours and 50
minutes. Construct a plain scale to
measure time up to a single minute
and corresponding distance. RF is
1/200000. Also indicate the distance
covered by the train in 28 minutes.
Construction of Plain Scales
(Contd.)
Step 1: Check the RF to select unit

Here, RF = 1/200000
i.e. 1 cm = 200000 cm
or, 1 m = 200000 m
or, 1 ft = 200000 ft etc.

Our objective is to develop a 6” or 15 cm scale for a fair

presentation. Here the distance is given in km. So we
can take 1 km = 200000 km. But we can not draw a
scale with such a big unit in a small sheet of paper. If
we look for a smaller unit, we can take 1 cm = 200000
cm (2 km) easily and a 15 cm scale can show a 30 km
distance. Moreover, km and cm can be related easily.
Construction of Plain Scales
(contd.)
Step 2: Solve the problem

In these sort of problem, relationship between

distance and time needs to be presented in a
scale. Therefore, calculation of velocity is
required.
Velocity = Distance ÷ Time
= 175 km ÷ 350 minutes
= ½ km/minute
So, the train travels 1 km in 2 minute.
Construction of Plain Scales
(contd.)
Step 3: Decide on Scale Type & Divisions

Now, you may take …..

2 major divisions of 7.5 cm (15 km in 30 minutes)
or, 3 major divisions of 5 cm (10km in 20 minutes)
or, 5 major divisions of 3 cm (6km in 12 minutes)
or, 6 major divisions of 2.5 cm (5km in 10 minutes)

As you need to show the distance covered by the train up to a

single minute, it is better to select the number of major divisions to
limit the fractioning of a division to minimum for simplicity &
neatness. The last choice is ideal and can be easily drawn.
 Construction of Plain
Scales (contd.)
Step 4: Draw the Scale
Construction of Diagonal
Scales
Example 1
Construct a scale of RF=1/2000 to read 300 meters to 1 meter.
Also show 135 meters in the scale.

Step 1: Check the RF to select unit

As you need to measure the distance in meter unit, you can

take 1 cm = 2000 cm (i.e. 1 cm = 20 m)

In that case 300 meters will be 15 cm in our scale. We know

that,
RF = Length in scale ÷ Actual Length
or, Length in scale = RF X Actual Length.
So, the scale length for your actual 300 m will be,
= (1/2000) X (300X100)
= 15 cm
 Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 2: Solve the problem

In these problem, there is nothing extra to calculate. You have

completed the necessary calculations in the previous step.

Step 3: Decide on Scale Type & Divisions

This is an important part. You may take ….

2 major divisions of 7.5 cm (150m)
or, 3 major divisions of 5 cm (100m)
or, 5 major divisions of 3 cm (60m)
or, 6 major divisions of 2.5 cm (50m)

If you choose the last option to construct a scale with smaller divisions
and try to show 1 m, then you need to divide a 2.5 cm major division into
50 minor divisions !!!
ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE ! ! !
In such cases, you need to construct a diagonal scale.
 Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 4: Calculate to Draw Diagonal Scale

If you draw a scale with 3 major division, then your one major
division represents 100 m and the minor division have to show
1 m. Now 100 ÷ 1 = 100. You need to draw a diagonal grid
and the (no. of rows X no. of columns) has to be 100. You may
take …
10 rows & 10 columns
or, 4 rows & 25 columns
or, 25 rows & 4 columns
or, 2 rows & 50 columns
or, 50 rows & 2 columns
or, 100 rows & 1 column
or, 1 row & 100 columns (It will be a plain scale !!!)
You should choose the first option, because it is not easy to
divide your 5 cm major division into 25 or 50 or 100 minor
divisions !!!
Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 5: Draw the Scale
 Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Example 1
A car runs at 40 miles/hour. Construct
a diagonal scale with RF=1/1584000 to
read directly the position of the
showing time interval of 3 minutes.
Also show the distance traveled by the
car in 1 hour & 42 minutes in the
scale.
Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 1: Check the RF to select unit

Here, RF = 1/1584000
i.e. 1 cm = 1584000 cm
or, 1 m = 1584000 m
or, 1 ft = 1584000 ft
or, 1 inch = 1584000 inch etc.

Our objective is to develop a 6” or 15 cm scale for a

fair presentation. Here the velocity is given in mph.
So we may take 1 ft = 1584000 ft. But we can not
draw a scale with such a big unit in a small sheet of
paper. If we look for a smaller unit, can take 1 inch
= 1584000 inch easily.
Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 2: Solve the problem

Now let us check the length of scale that represents 40

miles (the distance traveled by the car in an hour)
according to RF.
40 miles = 40 X (1760 X 3 X12) inch
= 2534400 “
According to RF,
Actual 40 miles is (2534400 ÷ 1584000) or 1.6”.
So in the scale, 1.6” is the distance traveled by the car
in 1 hour (i.e. actually 40 miles).
If you draw a 6.4” (1.6”X4) scale, it will show the
distance covered by the car in 4 hours. The scale will be
around 6” also and it will be fair enough !!!
 Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 4: Calculate to Draw Diagonal Scale

Now your scale’s each major division represents the distance

covered by the car in 1 hour and you need to divide it into it’s
minor divisions to show the distance traveled by the car per 3
minutes. So,…
60 ÷ 3 =20
You need to draw a diagonal grid and the (no. of rows X no. of
columns) has to be 20. You may take …
4 rows & 5 columns
or, 5 rows & 4 columns
or, 2 rows & 10 columns
or, 10 rows & 2 columns
or, 20 rows & 1 column
or, 1 row & 20 columns (It will be a plain scale !!!)
You should choose the second option, because it is relatively easy
to divide your 1.6” major division into 4 minor divisions of 0.4”.
Construction of Diagonal
Scales (contd.)
Step 5: Draw the Scale