Map scales: measuring

The Maths Habit

Both maps show the same island. On which map is the island bigger in real life?

Map A
Map B

Neither: it is the same island. Map B is drawn bigger.

How long is the line from A to B?

0123456AB3 cm3 cm
0123456AB5 cm5 cm
0123456AB2 cm2 cm

Scale
How much smaller the map is than the real thing.
Scale:1 cm represents 5 km
Represents
Stands for.
1 cm5 km
Distance
How far it is from one place to another.
AB

012345AB4 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
1scale
cmanswer
×cm
  1. 1Write the scale.Put 1 under Map and the scale under Real.
  2. 2Measure the map.Read the ruler at the second place.
  3. 3Multiply.Multiply both by the centimetres.

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Find the real distance from A to B.

01234AB3 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
15
315
×3

Scale: 1 cm represents 2 km

Find the real distance from C to D.

0123456CD5 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
12
510
×5

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Find the real distance from A to B.

01234AB3 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
15
315
×3
1Write the scale.
2Measure the map.
3Multiply.

Scale: 1 cm represents 10 km

Find the real distance from E to F.

012345EF4 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
110
440
×4

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Find the real distance from A to B.

01234AB3 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
15
315
×3
1Write the scale.
2Measure the map.
3Multiply.

Scale: 1 cm represents 2 km

Find the real distance from G to H.

012345GH4 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
12
48
×4

Scale: 1 cm represents 5 km

Find the real distance from A to B.

01234AB3 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
15
315
×3
1Write the scale.
2Measure the map.
3Multiply.

Scale: 1 cm represents 3 km

Find the real distance from J to K.

0123456JK5 cm
Map (cm)Real (km)
13
515
×5

Map scales: measuring worksheet, page 1

Map scales: measuring worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Is it right?
Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. 1 cm represents 5 km, so 3 cm is 15 km.

    Right

  2. 1 cm represents 2 km, so 6 cm is 8 km.

    Wrong: 6 × 2 = 12

  3. 1 cm represents 10 km, so 4 cm is 40 km.

    Right

  4. 1 cm represents 4 km, so 3 cm is 3 km.

    Wrong: 3 × 4 = 12

  5. 1 cm represents 5 km, so 5 cm is 25 km.

    Right

  1. 1 cm represents 4 km. A road is 4.5 cm long on the map. How long is the real road?

    18 km

  2. 1 cm represents 5 km. Two towns are 35 km apart. How far apart are they on the map?

    7 cm

  3. On a map, 6 cm represents 24 km. What does 1 cm represent?

    4 km

  1. Find the real distance from A to B.012345AB4 cmMap (cm)Real (km)1248×4

    8 km

  2. 1 cm represents 10 km. Find the real distance from C to D.0123456CD5 cmMap (cm)Real (km)110550×5

    50 km

  3. 1 cm represents 6 km. How far is it from E to F in real life?

    18 km
    01234EF3 cm
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