Scaling laws are mathematical relationships that describe how certain properties of systems change as their size or scale changes. For example, in biology, the metabolic rate of animals often scales with their mass, meaning larger animals tend to have slower metabolisms compared to smaller ones. These laws help scientists understand patterns across different sizes and types of organisms or structures. In physics and engineering, scaling laws can predict how materials behave under different conditions, such as stress or temperature. By applying these principles, researchers can design more efficient structures or systems, ensuring they perform well regardless of their size.