Question

The scale of a map is given as 1 : 40000000. Two cities are 4 cm apart on the map. Find the actual distance between them on the ground. [2 MARKS]

Answer 1

Solution: 2 Marks

Let the map distance be m cm and the actual distance be n cm, then

1 : 40000000 = m : n

$\frac{1}{40000000}=\frac{m}{n}$

Since m = 4,

$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{40000000}$ = $\frac{4}{n}$

$\Rightarrow n=4\times 40000000cm=1600km$

Thus, the two cities are actually 1600 km away from each other.