Final answer:
Using the derived scale of 1 inch equals 4 miles based on the given reference distance, the actual distance between the campground and the lake, represented by 12 inches on the map, is 48 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to calculate the actual distance between two points on a map given a reference distance and the actual distance measured in miles. Starting with the provided information that 2 inches on the map equals 8 miles in reality, we can establish a scale of 1 inch to 4 miles (since 8 miles ÷ 2 inches = 4 miles per inch). Now, to find the actual distance between the campground and the lake, which is 12 inches apart on the map, we would use the scale to set up a proportion. Multiplying 12 inches by 4 miles per inch gives us the actual distance.
So, the calculation will be:
12 inches × 4 miles/inch = 48 miles
Therefore, the actual distance between the campground and the lake is 48 miles.