Math in Waʻa: Examples of math in waʻa and navigation

Let’s denote the lengths of the dimensions on Aunty Malanai’s scale model as:

\[ \begin{align*} \text{Mast (Model): } m \text{ ft} \\ \text{Spar (Model): } s \text{ ft} \\ \text{Boom (Model): } b \text{ ft} \\ \text{Length (Model): } l \text{ ft} \\ \text{Width (Model): } w \text{ ft} \\ \end{align*} \]

We know that the original mast length is $25$ ft, and the new mast length for the scale model should be $10$ ft. This gives us a ratio:

\[ \frac{{\text{Mast (Model)}}}{{\text{Mast}}} = \frac{m}{25} = \frac{10}{25} \]

Solving for $m\text{,}$ we get:

\[ m = \frac{10}{25} \times 25 = 10 \text{ ft} \]

So, on Aunty Malanai’s scale model, the mast should be $10$ ft long.

To maintain proportions, we can set up ratios for the other dimensions as well:

\[ \frac{{\text{Spar (Model)}}}{{\text{Spar}}} = \frac{s}{29} \]

\[ \frac{{\text{Boom (Model)}}}{{\text{Boom}}} = \frac{b}{19} \]

\[ \frac{{\text{Length (Model)}}}{{\text{Length}}} = \frac{l}{29} \]

\[ \frac{{\text{Width (Model)}}}{{\text{Width}}} = \frac{w}{11} \]

Since we’ve already found that the Mast (Model) is $10$ ft, we can use this information to calculate the other dimensions on Aunty Malanai’s scale model.

Scaling factor

10 is 40 percent of 25. Multiply all by 40 percent