Map scale definition

Question 1

How is Map Scale represented

Answer 1

It is represented as a scale ratio

1 : r

Question 2

Does it have have units?

1 : r

Answer 2

No 1 and r have no units

for example 1 : 50000

Question 3

How do we represent Map Scales?

Answer 3

Map Scales are based on the representation of one unit

not 2 : 20000 or 3 : 60000

must be simplified to 1 : 10000 or 1 : 20000

Question 4

What are map scales used for?

Answer 4

Map scales can be used to find actual distances and represented distances on a map

Question 5

Given a map scale 1 : 5000

How to find actual distance given the map distance?

Answer 5

We multiply the map distance by 5000

for example if map distance is 2 cm

actual distance = 2 * 5000 = 10000 cm

Question 6

Given a map scale 1 : 5000

How to find map distance given the actual distance?

Answer 6

We divide the actual distance by 5000

for example if actual distance is 2000 m

map distance = 2000 / 5000 = 0.4 m