Map Scales

A map scale is given as a ratio

Examples of Map Scales

1 : 1 000 000

1 cm on the map represents 1 000 000 cm, or 10 km, in real life.

1 : 50 000

1 cm on the map represents 50 000 cm, or 0.5 km, in real life.

1 : 250 000

1 cm on the map represents 250 000 cm, or 2.5 km, in real life.

Example

The distance from Dogstown to Catsville is 10 cm on a map with a scale of
1 : 1 000 000.
How far is this in real life?

In real life this is:
10 × 1 000 000 = 10 000 000 cm
Converting
10 000 000 cm = 100 000 m = 100 km
The distance from Dogstown to Catsville is 100 km.

Example

The distance from Mousehole to Catsville is 45 km.
How far is this on a map with a scale of 1 : 50 000?

1 cm on the map represents 50 000 cm, or 0.5 km, in real life.

Solving using unitary direct proportion

Solving using Vedic maths:
1 : 0.5 :: x : 45

Or, by the Rule of Three