What is the ratio between the size of the object as drawn and its actual size called?

The correct term for the ratio between the size of an object as represented in a drawing and its actual size is referred to as "scale." In architectural and engineering contexts, scale is crucial as it provides a clear relationship between the dimensions represented in a drawing and the real-world measurements of the object or space being depicted.

For example, a scale of 1:100 means that 1 unit on the drawing equals 100 units in reality. This allows for accurate interpretations and constructions based on the drawings. Understanding scale is fundamental in fields such as architecture, construction, and design because it ensures that the plans can be effectively translated into physical structures.

Proportion relates more to the relative sizes of parts within a whole instead of a comparison between a drawing and its real-world counterpart. Ratio is a broader term that refers to the quantitative relationship between two numbers but does not specifically address the visual representation aspect. Dimension pertains to measurable extents such as length, width, and height but does not capture the idea of representation versus reality.