Question

For a certain map, the scale shows that 1 cm on the map equals 2.50 km on earth's surface. two towns on the map are 4.75 cm apart. what is the actual distance between the two towns

Answer 1

In this problem, to find the answer we have to setup a series of ratios that relate the scale to real life distance. We know that 1cm = 2.50km, so that ratio would be 1cm/2.5km. For two towns that are 4.75cm apart on the map, we set a ration of 4.75cm/x km, where x is the actual distance. Now we set the ratios equal to each other and solve for x. 1/2.5=4.75/x where x = 4.75*2.5/1 = 11.875 and rounding up we get 11.88 km. The two towns are actually 11.88 km apart from each other.