Final answer:
To find the actual distance between two cities on a map where 2 inches represents 140 miles and the cities are 8.5 inches apart, set up a proportion and solve for the actual distance. The calculation gives us 595 miles, which rounds up to the nearest provided option, 600 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the actual distance between two cities based on a scale on a highway map, you first need to understand the scale given. In this case, the map scale tells you that 2 inches represents 140 miles. This is the ratio or proportion that will help you determine the actual distance between the cities.
Now, if two cities are 8.5 inches apart on the map, you can set up a proportion to find out how many miles those 8.5 inches represent. The proportion will look like this: 2 inches / 140 miles = 8.5 inches / x miles, where 'x' is the actual distance between the cities that we want to find.
Using cross-multiplication, you get: 2x = 140 * 8.5. To solve for 'x', you then divide both sides of the equation by 2:
x = (140 * 8.5) / 2
x = 595 miles
However, since 595 isn't one of the options provided, we would round it to the nearest option which is 600 miles, therefore answer C) 600 miles is the closest correct choice.