Question

A map of square piece of property is drawn at a scale of 1:500. If a side of the property on the map is 16 cm, what is the property's actual area?

Answer 1

A=s^2

s=500x

A=250000x^2, and since x=16cm

A=250000(16^2)

A=64000000 cm^2 But a more appropriate unit would be m^2 so:

A=64000000cm^2(m^2/10000cm^2)=6400 m^2

Answer 2

Property's actual area = 6400 m²

Explanation:

Scale = 1 : 500

Side on map = 16 cm

Side of property = scale x side on map = 16 x 500 = 8000 cm

Area of property = 8000 x 8000 = 64000000 cm²

Area of property = 6.4 x 10⁷ cm² = 6.4 x 10³ m²

Property's actual area = 6400 m²