How Do You Use the Scale on a Map to Find an Actual Distance?

How Do You Use the Scale on a Map to Find an Actual Distance?

Note:

Maps help us get from one place to another. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use a map to find an actual distance.

Keywords:

  • Problem
  • ratios
  • scale
  • map
  • distance

Background Tutorials

  • Proportion Definitions

      • What's a Proportion?What's a Proportion?

      What's a Proportion?

      The idea of proportions is that a ratio can be written in many ways and still be equal to the same value. That's why proportions are actually equations with equal ratios. This is a bit of a tricky definition, so make sure to watch the tutorial!

      • What's a Ratio?What's a Ratio?

      What's a Ratio?

      Ratios are everywhere! The scale on a map or blueprint is a ratio. Ingredients sometimes need to be mixed using ratios such as the ratio of water to cement mix when making cement. Watch this tutorial to learn about ratios. Then think of some ratios you've encountered before!

  • Working with Proportions

  • Similar Figures and Indirect Measurement

      • What is a Scale Drawing?What is a Scale Drawing?

      What is a Scale Drawing?

      Without a blueprint, it would be really hard to construct a building. Without a road map, you'd be lost! Scale drawings make it easy to see large things, like buildings and roads, on paper. Even a GPS uses scale drawings! Check out this tutorial to learn all about scale drawings.

      • What is a Scale?What is a Scale?

      What is a Scale?

      In math, the term scale is used to represent the relationship between a measurement on a model and the corresponding measurement on the actual object. Without scales, maps and blueprints would be pretty useless. Check out this tutorial and learn about scale factor!

Further Exploration

  • Similar Figures and Indirect Measurement

      • How Do You Solve a Scale Model Problem Using a Scale Factor?How Do You Solve a Scale Model Problem Using a Scale Factor?

      How Do You Solve a Scale Model Problem Using a Scale Factor?

      This tutorial provides a great real world application of math! You'll see how to use the scale on a house blueprint to find the scale factor. Then, see how to use the scale factor and a measurement from the blueprint to find the measurement on the actual house! Check out this tutorial and see the usefulness blueprints and scale factor!