Question

The scale on a map shows that 5 centimeters = 2 kilometers. (You can use a calculator on this

problem, but you must write/show your calculations)
a. What number of centimeters on the map represents an actual distance of 5 kilometers?
b. What is the actual number of kilometers that is represented by 2 centimeters on the map?

Answer 1

a) 12.5cm

b) 0.8km

Explanation:

a)

the scale is 5cm : 2km

divide both sides of the scale by 2

the scale is now 2.5cm : 1km

multiply both sides of the scale by 5

the scale is now 12.5cm : 5km

b)

the scale is 5cm : 2km

divide both sides of the scale by 5

the scale is now 1cm : 0.4km

multipy both sides of the scale by 2

the scale is now 2cm : 0.8km