Final answer:
Cartographers can represent the spherical earth on a flat piece of paper by using a map projection. One common map projection is the Mercator projection, which distorts the size and shape of objects as you move away from the equator. Another type of map projection is the topographic map, which adds a third dimension (elevation) to the map.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cartographers can represent the spherical earth on a flat piece of paper by using a map projection. A map projection is a method of transforming the curved surface of the earth onto a flat map. There are different types of map projections, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
One common map projection is the Mercator projection, which was developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569. It preserves straight lines and shapes but distorts the size and shape of objects as you move away from the equator. Another type of map projection is the topographic map, which adds a third dimension (elevation) to the map by using contour lines to represent changes in the earth's surface.
Overall, map projections allow cartographers to accurately represent the features of the earth on a flat map, although some distortion is inevitable.