Enter the ratio of the new value to the initial value and the original value into the calculator to scale down to a new number.

## Scaling Down Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a scaled-down value for a recipe or other problem.

FV = IV * R
• Where FV is your final value or your scaled-down value
• IV is your initial value
• R is your ratio of the initial value to the final value. For example, a ratio of 1:2 = 1/2, meaning that for every 1 initial value, there are 2 final values. So an initial value of 2 scaled-down by 1:2 means the final value should be 1. (2*1/2=1)

To calculate a scaled down value, multiply the initial value by the scale down ratio.

## Scaling Down Definition

A scaling down is the process of reducing a certain value by a scale ratio in order to calculate an equivalent smaller number typically for use in recipes.

## Scaling Down Example

How to scale down?

1. First, determine the original value.

For example, let’s say you are making 5 pounds of soup, and the initial value of noodles needed was 4 cups.

2. Next, determine the scaled down ratio.

Now let’s say instead you want to only make 1 pound of soup. That would mean your scale down ratio is 1:5.

3. Finally, calculate the new value.

Calculate the new amount of noodles required using the formula above. So, 4 * 1/5 = .80 cups of noodles in the scaled-down recipe.

## FAQ

How do you scale down a recipe?

Scaling down the ingredients of a recipe involves multiplying the initial ingredient values by the scale ratio. For example, if you want to make 1/5 of the amount of food, you must multiply the ingredient values by 1/5.