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 systems. In physics and engineering, scaling laws can predict how structures behave when their dimensions are altered. For instance, if a model of a bridge is built at a smaller scale, scaling laws can help estimate how the full-sized bridge will perform under similar conditions. These principles are crucial in fields like architecture and materials science.