Question

QUESTION 6 The scale on a map is given as 1 : 320,000. If the distance between the top of the two mountains on the map is 6.8cm, what is the actual distance in kilometres between the two tops of the mountain. ? show working out to prove answer.​

Answer 1

The actual distance is of 21.76 kilometers.

Explanation:

Scale problems are solved by proportions, using a rule of three.

The scale on a map is given as 1 : 320,000

This means that each unit on the map represents 320,000 units of distance.

Distance between the top of the two mountains on the map is 6.8cm

Then

1 cm - 320,000 cm

6.8 cm - x

Applying cross multiplication:

`x = 6.8*320000 = 2176000`

Distance in kilometers

To convert from centimeters to kilometers, we divide by 100000. So

2176000/100000 = 21.76

The actual distance is of 21.76 kilometers.