Question

6. How does the scale on a map work? For example, if the map scale is 1:20,000, one centimeter on the map would be how many centimeters on the actual Earth (on the ground) __________ cm

Answer 1

20,000 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

Remember that a scale is a ratio of two numbers. The first number is based on the map and the second one is the corresponding place that the map portrays. In this case the scale is 1:20,000, that means that 1 cm of the map corresponds to 20,000 cm on the actual Earth. If you had to calulate a distance from a point A to a point B in the map, you need to use a ruler in cm, if the distance is 3cm then you need to multiply: 3cm x 20,000, the result would be 60,000. That means the real distance on Earth is 60,000 cm.