I am using \externalfigure to show a picture at the desired scale. Instead of providing a number for the width parameter I have made a definition with \def. When I run in mkiv this I get the text "4t" alongside the picture.
 
\def\DesignSize#1{3.5cm/4*#1}%
\starttext
\externalfigure[hacker.jpg][width=\DesignSize{4}]
\stoptext
 
In mkii is perfect.
 
I've also tried
 
\define[1]\DesignSize{3.5cm/4*#1}
 
with the same result.