Question

The scale on a map shows that 5 centimeters = 2 kilometers. What number of centimeters on the map represents an actual distance of 5 kilometers? *

Answer 1

12.5 cm

Explanation:

The ratio of map distance to ground distance is the same at any distance:

(map distance)/(ground distance) = (5 cm)/(2 km) = (x)/(5 km)

Multiply by 5 km and you have ...

x = (5 cm)(5/2) = 12.5 cm

The ground distance of 5 km is represented by 12.5 cm on the map.