Map scales: measuring

The Maths Habit Handout to print

  1. 1 cm represents 3 km. A forest path is 7.5 cm long on the map. Find its real length.

    22.5 km

  2. On a plan, 1 cm represents 25 m. A playing field is 4.2 cm long on the plan. How long is the real field?

    105 m

  3. 1 cm represents 9 km. Two towns are 63 km apart. How far apart are they on the map?

    7 cm

How could you find the length
of a winding river on a map?

Lay a piece of string along it, then measure the string

Measure short straight pieces and add them up

How long is the line from A to B?

4.5 cm

Scale
How much smaller the map is than the real thing.

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
420

Scale: 1 cm represents 10 km

How far is it really from C to D?

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
525
↓× 5
Real distance =25 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 20 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
120
5.5110
↓× 5.5
Real distance =110 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
525
↓× 5
Real distance =25 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 50 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
150
2.5125
↓× 2.5
Real distance =125 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
525
↓× 5
Real distance =25 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 3 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
13
6.519.5
↓× 6.5
Real distance =19.5 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
525
↓× 5
Real distance =25 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 25 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
125
3.587.5
↓× 3.5
Real distance =87.5 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Map (cm)Real (km)
15
525
↓× 5
Real distance =25 km

Scale: 1 cm represents 200 m

Map (cm)Real (m)
1200
3.8760
↓× 3.8
Real distance =760 m

Scale: 1 cm represents 4 km

F is 20 km from E. Where does F go?

Map scales: measuring worksheet, page 1

Map scales: measuring worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

  1. 1 cm represents 4 km. A town is 30 km from P. How far from P would you mark it on the map?

    7.5 cm

  2. On a different map, a journey of 32 km measures 16 cm. What does 1 cm represent on that map?

    2 km

  1. 1 cm represents 4 km. Find the real distance from A to B.

    22 km
    AB0123456cm

  2. 1 cm represents 5 km. Two towns are 32 km apart. How far apart are they on the map?

    6.4 cm

  3. C to D is really 18 km.
    Measure the line.
    What does 1 cm represent?

    4 km
    CD012345cm
Exit tickets to print