Scaling Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
A map has a scale of 1:25,0001:25{,}000. Two cities are 88 cm apart on the map. What is the actual distance in kilometres?

Solution

  1. 1
    The scale 1:25,0001:25{,}000 means 11 cm on the map represents 25,00025{,}000 cm in reality.
  2. 2
    Actual distance =8×25,000=200,000= 8 \times 25{,}000 = 200{,}000 cm.
  3. 3
    Convert to kilometres: 200,000 cm÷100,000=2200{,}000 \text{ cm} \div 100{,}000 = 2 km.

Answer

The actual distance is 22 km.
A map scale is a ratio expressing how much the real world has been shrunk. Multiplying the map measurement by the scale ratio gives the real-world measurement in the same units, which can then be converted as needed.

About Scaling

Changing the size of a quantity by multiplying by a factor, making it proportionally larger (factor >1> 1) or smaller (factor <1< 1).

Learn more about Scaling →

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