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Finding map scale

Teaching Transcript

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What is the scale of this map if 9 centimeters on the map represents 90 kilometers in reality?

First we need to make sure we're working in the same units, so let's convert our 90 kilometers to centimeters. First, we multiply by 1000 to get our base unit, meters, so we have 90,000 meters. Then, we multiply by 100 to get 9 million centimeters. 90 kilometers is 9 million centimeters

Map scales are a ratio. So our scale is map to reality, or 9 centimeters to 9 million centimeters.

If we simplify, that's 1 over 1 million or a 1 to 1 million scale.

This skill teaches how to determine the scale of a map when the map distance and the actual distance are given in different units. It involves converting all measurements to the same unit and then expressing the relationship as a ratio, which is simplified to find the scale.

Skill Practice

Finding the scale of a map given map and actual distances, different units

Test your understanding of finding map scale by practicing it! Work through the below exercises to use it in practice.