Answer:
if Petra uses a scale of 1 in = 50 miles, the distance of 400 miles would fit in the page.
Explanation:
Scaling
Objects can be represented in a reduced or augmented size by using scaling.
Scaling is essentially multiplying or dividing by a constant factor. We use scaling when representing geographic locations on a map.
Petra has a piece of paper that is 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches long and she wants to represent a distance of 400 miles by using the scale factor of 1 inch= 20 miles.
a)
Dividing the real distance by the scale factor we get 400/20 = 20 inches. Petra would need 20 inches of paper to represent the scaled distance. That distance won't fit in any direction of the paper, so she actually cannot make the scale drawing.
b)
To make the drawing, the distance of 20 inches should fit into the page in any orientation, let's assume it's done across the paper's width of 8.5 inches.
Dividing 400 / 8,5 = 47
This gives us an idea of the appropriate scale factor. We can use a round number like 50. Thus, if Petra uses a scale of 1 in = 50 miles, the distance of 400 miles would fit in the page.