Map Scale

1. 1Six Kilometres?The gap measures about 6 centimetres, so the tempting answer is 6 kilometres. But those are PAPER centimetres — each one hides 5 real kilometres.6 km?
2. 2Measure the MapLay the ruler between the towns and count the ticks: exactly 6 cm on the map. That is the only number the map gives directly — everything else comes from the scale.map distance = 6 cm
3. 3What One Centimetre MeansTake exactly 1 cm of that measurement. Scale 1 : 500000 means 1 cm on paper = 500000 cm outside. Convert: 500000 cm = 5 km. So every measured centimetre is worth 5 km.500000 cm = 5 km
4. 4The Scale BarNow draw the scale as a picture: the bar builds chunk by chunk, each chunk 1 cm of paper, and the kilometres accumulate — 0, 5 km, 10 km, and so on.1 cm ↔ 5 km
5. 5Measure, Then MultiplyReal distance = map centimetres × kilometres per centimetre = 6 × 5 = 30 km.6 × 5 = 30 km
6. 6Try Another StretchThe lower road measures 3 cm on the map. Same rate: 3 × 5 = 15 km in the real world.3 cm → 15 km
7. 7Check BackwardsCheck backwards: 30 km ÷ 5 km per cm = 6 cm — the exact measurement we started with. ✓ And remember: Measure, then multiply.30 ÷ 5 = 6 ✓

Change the numbers to test the engine with any sum & difference problem: