Foundation and Higher · scales and maps
Map scales.
From the map
to real life.
1 : 50 000
is just a ratio
a scale is a ratio —
1 : 50 000
1 cm on the map
is 50 000 cm in real life
step 1 of 4
Make the scale useful
1. Both sides are in the same unit: cm.
2. Convert the real side into km.
✓ Do this once, then use it
1 : 50 000
1 cm = 50 000 cm
= 500 m ÷ 100
1 cm = 0.5 km ÷ 1000
step 2 of 4
Map to real life
1. Each cm is worth 0.5 km.
2. Multiply: real life is bigger.
✓ 6 cm on the map is 3 km
6 cm on the map
6 × 0.5 km
= 3 km
step 3 of 4
Real life to map
1. Going back to the map: divide.
2. How many 0.5 km fit into 8 km?
✓ 8 km is 16 cm on the map
8 km in real life
8 ÷ 0.5
= 16 cm on the map
step 4 of 4
Scale drawings
1. Same method: multiply by the scale.
2. 2 m = 200 cm, so the ratio is 1 : 200.
✓ A ratio scale has no units
scale: 1 cm to 2 m
plan length 4.5 cm
4.5 × 2 = 9 m
as a ratio: 1 : 200
scales —
1 : n
same units on both sides
Convert the scale to “1 cm = … km”
before you start.
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