Scale & Maps
What is a scale?
- For accurate drawings and constructions scale refers to a ratio
- This ratio describes the relationship between the drawn size and the real-life size
- Maps are usually drawn to a scale
- The ratio will work for any unit of length applied to both sides
- For example, the scale 1: 50000 could mean 1 cm = 50000 cm, 1 km = 50000 km or even 1 yard = 50000 yards
- If you’re measuring the length from a map it will be easiest to measure in cm
How can I use a scale to find the actual lengths from an accurate drawing?
- STEP 1
Use a ruler to measure the distance accurately on the map- For example, measuring a length from A to B as 5.8 cm
- STEP 2
Use the scale to find the actual distance in the same units- For example, if the scale is 1 : 150000 the actual distance = 5.8 cm × 150000 = 870000 cm
- STEP 3
Convert the actual distance to a more suitable unit- For example, 870000 cm = 8700 m = 8.7 km
How can I use a scale to find lengths for an accurate drawing?
- STEP 1
Convert the scale into a ratio where one side is 1 cm and the other side uses the units the real distance is measured in
- For example, if the real distance is in km and the scale is 1 : 500000,
- 1 : 500000 = 1 cm : 500000 cm = 1 cm : 5000 m = 1 cm : 5 km
- So 1 cm on the map, represents 5 km in real life
- STEP 2
Use this ratio to convert the actual distance to the scale distance- For example, if the actual distance = 20 km, the scale distance will be 20 ÷ 5 = 4 cm
Examiner Tip
- When working with lots of different units and converting between them, make sure to use "common sense" checks
- e.g. When converting 500 km into metres, am I expecting a bigger or smaller number?
Worked example
A map is drawn where a length of 5 cm is equal to an actual distance of 0.6 km.
(a)
Write the scale that is used for the map.
Convert both parts of the scale to the same units
The answer needs to be in the form 1 : n so convert 0.6 km into cm using 1 m = 100 cm and 1 km = 1000 m
The answer needs to be in the form 1 : n so convert 0.6 km into cm using 1 m = 100 cm and 1 km = 1000 m
0.6 km = 0.6 × 1000 m = 600 m
600 m = 600 × 100 cm = 60 000 cm
Now the ratio has the same units 5 cm : 60 000 cm, you can remove the units
5 : 60 000
Write in the form 1 : n by dividing both sides by 5
1 : 12000
(b)
The width of a park on the map is 17 mm.
Find the actual width of the park, giving your answer in metres.
Convert 17 mm into cm.
17 mm = 1.7 cm
Use the scale to find 1.7 cm on the map in real life
1.7 cm × 12000 = 20400 cm
Convert to metres
20400 cm ÷ 100
204 m
(c)
The distance from the mouth of the ocean to the first bridge over a river is 125 metres.
Find this distance on the map.
Convert 125 metres to cm
125 m = (125 × 100 cm) = 12500 cm
Use the scale to find 12500 cm in real life on the map
12500 cm ÷ 12000 = 1.0416... cm
1.04 cm
