Scale consept

Concept of Scale

Scale Definition

- A scale represents the ratio of the distance on the map to the actual distance on the ground.

- All maps have a scale.

- A scale of 1:10 000 means that one unit on the map equals 10 000 of the same units on the ground.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of a map scale?

• To weigh the political power of the states

• To show where things are located on the map

• Compare the distance measured on the map to the actual distance on Earth

• To show how large the map is

Multiple Choice

1 m = __________ cm

• 10

• 100

• 1000

• 100 000

Multiple Choice

1km = ___________ m

• 10

• 100

• 1000

• 100 000

Multiple Choice

1km = _______________ cm

• 10

• 100

• 1000

• 100 000

Distance Conversions

1 cm = 10 mm
1 m = 100 cm
1 km = 1000 m

• 1 : 250 000 or more

• A Large Area shown on map

• A small amount of detail (Borders, lakes, large rivers)

Small Scale Maps

• 1 : 50 000 or less

• A Small Area shown on map

• A large amount of detail (streets, schools, railways)

Large Scale Maps

Large Scale vs Small Scale Maps

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Large

• Small

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Small

• Large

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Large

• Small

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Small

• Large

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Large

• Small

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Large

• Small

Multiple Choice

Is this a large or small scale map?

• Large

• Small

• Words are used to tell you how to work out distance on the map

Word Scale

• This is a line on the bottom of a map that shows measurements in kilometres.

Line Scale

Line Scales and word scales

Multiple Choice

What is the actual distance of point D to point E if the map distance is 5 cm . Given that the map scale is 1 : 400

• 20 cm

• 200 cm

• 2000 cm

• 2 km

Multiple Choice

The distance between Cape Town and Waterfront is 3 cm on the map. Find the actual distance if the map scale is given by 1 : 7 000

• 21 000 cm

• 21 cm

• 2.1 cm

• 100 m