MASTERING MAP SCALES
What is a Map Scale?
A map scale tells us the relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding actual distance on
the ground. It is usually written as a ratio, such as 1 : 50 000.
This means that 1 unit of measurement on the map represents 50 000 of the same units in reality. For
example, 1 centimetre (cm) on the map represents 50 000 centimetres on the ground.
Essential Conversions
To master map scales, one must confidently convert between centimetres (cm), metres (m), and kilometres (km).
Conversion Multiplier / Divisor
Metres to Centimetres (m → cm) Multiply by 100
Kilometres to Metres (km → m) Multiply by 1 000
Kilometres to Centimetres (km → cm) Multiply by 100 000
Centimetres to Kilometres (cm → km) Divide by 100 000
Worked Examples
Example 1: Map to Actual Distance (Linear)
A map has a scale of 1 : 50 000. The distance between two towns on the map is 4 cm. Calculate the actual distance
in kilometres.
Map distance = 4 cm
Actual distance = 4 cm × 50 000 = 200 000 cm
Convert cm to km: 200 000 ÷ 100 000 = 2 km
Answer: 2 km
Example 2: Actual to Map Distance
The actual distance between a school and a library is 15 km. If a map is drawn to a scale of 1 : 250 000, find the
distance on the map in centimetres.
Actual distance = 15 km
Convert km to cm: 15 × 100 000 = 1 500 000 cm
Map distance = 1 500 000 cm ÷ 250 000 = 6 cm
Answer: 6 cm
Example 3: Addressing Question 3(b) Errors
A rural development map has a scale of 1 : 25 000. Calculate the actual distance, in kilometres, represented by a
boundary line of length 8 cm on the map.
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Map distance = 8 cm
Actual distance = 8 cm × 25 000 = 200 000 cm
Convert cm to km: 200 000 ÷ 100 000 = 2 km
Answer: 2 km
Example 4: Finding the Scale Ratio
A straight road of length 10 km is represented on a map by a line of 2 cm. Express the scale of the map in the form
1 : n.
Map : Actual = 2 cm : 10 km
Convert km to cm: 10 km = 10 × 100 000 = 1 000 000 cm
Ratio = 2 cm : 1 000 000 cm
Divide both sides by 2: 1 : 500 000
Answer: 1 : 500 000
Example 5: Working with Decimals
A map has a scale of 1 : 20 000. The distance between a borehole and a clinic on the map is 5.4 cm. Find the actual
distance in kilometres.
Actual distance = 5.4 cm × 20 000 = 108 000 cm
Convert cm to km: 108 000 ÷ 100 000 = 1.08 km
Answer: 1.08 km
Example 6: Dealing with Metres
A building plan is drawn to a scale of 1 : 200. The length of a room on the plan is 6 cm. Calculate the actual length
of the room in metres.
Actual distance = 6 cm × 200 = 1 200 cm
Convert cm to m: 1 200 ÷ 100 = 12 m
Answer: 12 m
Example 7: Area Scale Conversion Concept
A map has a linear scale of 1 : 50 000. What is the scale for area?
Linear Scale = 1 cm : 50 000 cm
1 cm represents 0.5 km (since 50 000 ÷ 100 000 = 0.5)
Area Scale = (1 cm)² : (0.5 km)²
1 cm² represents 0.25 km²
Answer: 1 cm² represents 0.25 km²
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Example 8: Calculating Actual Area
A map has a scale of 1 : 100 000. A forest covers an area of 12 cm² on the map. Find the actual area of the forest in
square kilometres (km²).
Linear Scale: 1 cm represents 100 000 cm = 1 km
Area Scale: 1 cm² represents (1 km)² = 1 km²
Map Area = 12 cm²
Actual Area = 12 × 1 km² = 12 km²
Answer: 12 km²
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MAP SCALES EXERCISE
Answer all questions. Show all working clearly. Marks are indicated in brackets.
1. Convert the following actual distances to centimetres:
(a) 8 km [1]
(b) 12.5 km [1]
(c) 450 m [1]
2. Convert the following map distances on a 1 : 50 000 map to actual distances in kilometres:
(a) 6 cm [2]
(b) 15.2 cm [2]
3. A map is drawn to a scale of 1 : 25 000.
(a) Calculate the actual distance, in kilometres, represented by a line of 14 cm on the map. [2]
(b) The actual distance between two villages is 8.5 km. Calculate the distance between them on the map. [2]
4. A surveyor's plan of an estate uses a scale of 1 : 500.
(a) A rectangular swimming pool has a length of 5 cm on the plan. Find its actual length in metres. [2]
(b) The actual width of the pool is 12 m. Find the width on the plan in centimetres. [2]
5. The actual distance between a hospital and a post office is 24 km. On a regional map, this distance is [2]
represented by a line of length 6 cm. Determine the scale of the map in the form 1 : n.
6. A map scale is given as 2 cm represents 5 km.
(a) Express this scale as a ratio in the form 1 : n. [2]
(b) What map distance will represent an actual distance of 17.5 km? [2]
7. Two cities are 120 km apart. Map A uses a scale of 1 : 1 000 000 and Map B uses a scale of 1 : 400 000.
(a) Calculate the distance between the cities on Map A. [2]
(b) Calculate the distance between the cities on Map B. [2]
8. A commercial farm has a perimeter of 18 km. If it is drawn on a map with a scale of 1 : 75 000, calculate the [3]
perimeter of the farm on the map in centimetres.
9. On a map with a scale of 1 : 200 000, a national park covers an area of 5 cm². Calculate the actual area of the [3]
national park in square kilometres (km²).
10. An actual rectangular field measures 2 km by 1.5 km.
(a) Find the actual area of the field in km². [1]
(b) If the map scale is 1 : 50 000, calculate the area of the field on the map in cm². [3]
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11. An island has an actual area of 144 km². On a map, its area is 16 cm². Determine the linear scale of the map [3]
in the form 1 : n.
12. A high-speed train travels between two stations in 45 minutes at an average speed of 120 km/h.
(a) Calculate the actual distance between the stations in kilometres. [2]
(b) The two stations are 30 cm apart on a wall map. Find the scale of the map in the form 1 : n. [3]
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