To find the scale factor used to create the travel version of the triangular piece, we can compare the side lengths of the original piece and the travel version.
The original piece measures 3 inches on each side, while the travel version measures 0.5 inches on each side.
The scale factor can be calculated by dividing the length of a side of the travel version by the length of a side of the original version.
Scale factor = (Length of travel version) / (Length of original version)
In this case, it would be:
Scale factor = 0.5 inches / 3 inches = 0.5 / 3 = 1/6.
Thus, the scale factor is 1/6.