Question

A map has a scale 1 inch: 15 kilometers. If the distance between 2 cities is 75 kilometers, what is the distance on the map?

Answer 1

The distance on the map between the two cities is 5 inches.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scale of the map is given as 1 inch: 15 kilometers. To find the distance on the map corresponding to the actual distance between the two cities (75 kilometers), we can set up a proportion. Let \( x \) represent the distance on the map. The proportion is set up as:

`15 kilometers1 inch​ = 75 kilometersx inches​`

Cross-multiplying to solve for \( x \), we get:

`x= 151​ ×75=5`

Therefore, the distance on the map between the two cities is 5 inches. This means that each inch on the map represents 15 kilometers in reality. To find the total distance on the map, we multiply the scale factor (15 kilometers) by the actual distance (75 kilometers). Thus, 5 inches on the map correspond to the 75 kilometers between the two cities. The scale is crucial in converting real-world distances to their representation on the map, providing a reliable and scaled-down visualization of geographical features.