Using a 1/4" scale, what does 3 1/2" represent in actual feet?

To determine what 3 1/2 inches represents in actual feet when using a 1/4" scale, it's important to understand how scales work in architectural drawing. A 1/4" scale means that every quarter inch on the drawing is equivalent to one actual foot in reality.

First, convert 3 1/2 inches into a decimal form for easier calculations, which is 3.5 inches. When using a 1/4" scale, you need to establish the equivalent in actual feet by performing the following calculation:

1. Convert inches to feet: There are 12 inches in a foot, so you first divide the number of inches by 12 to find out how many feet that is in reality.

3.5 inches ÷ 12 = 0.2917 feet (approximately)

2. Calculate the actual feet using the scale: Since each inch on the drawing represents 4 feet in actual size (because 1/4" corresponds to 1 foot), you multiply the result by 4.

3.5 inches × 4 = 14 feet

Thus, 3 1/2 inches on a 1/4" scale drawing represents 14