Map Scale
EXERCISE
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
Which one of the following methods of scale is a universal method?
(a) Simple Statement
(b) Representative Fraction
(c) Graphical Scale
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b) Representative Fraction.
Map distance in a scale is also known as:
(a) Numerator
(b) Denominator
(c) Statement of Scale
(d) Representative Fraction
Ans: (a) Numerator.
‘Numerator’ in scale represents:
(a) Ground distance
(b) Map distance
(c) Both the distances
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b) Map distance.
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
What are the two different systems of measurement?
Ans: Two main systems of measurement dominate the globe:
1. Metric System: Based on decimals and meters, kilometers, grams, etc., it's the prevalent system in most countries for science, technology, and everyday life.
2. Imperial System: Used in the US and parts of the UK, it relies on inches, feet, miles, pounds, etc., and often feels like a complex arithmetic puzzle!
Remember, understanding both systems can come in handy navigating the world!
Give one example each of statement of scale in Metric and English system.
Ans: Metric: 1 cm represents 10 km
English: 1 inch represents 10 miles
Why is the Representative Fraction method called a Universal method?
Ans: Representative Fraction is universal because it expresses scale as a ratio, not tied to specific units, making it understood globally, regardless of measurement systems.
What are the major advantages of the graphical method?
Ans: The graphical method shines with its visual clarity: imagine a mini ruler on your map, letting you directly eyeball distances without crunching numbers! Plus, it's versatile, handling varied scales, and beginner-friendly, offering an intuitive grasp of map distances.
3. Convert the given Statement of Scale into Representative Fraction
(R. F.).
(I) 5 cm represents 10 km
(II) 2 inches represents 4 miles
(III) 1 inch represents 1 yard
(IV) 1 cm represents 100 metres
Ans: Here are the Representative Fractions (RF) for each statement of scale:
(I) 5 cm represents 10 km
*Convert both distances to the same unit (e.g., centimeters).
*10 km = 1,000,000 cm
*RF = 5 cm / 1,000,000 cm = 1:200,000
(II) 2 inches represents 4 miles
*Convert both distances to the same unit (e.g., inches).
*4 miles = 63,360 inches
*RF = 2 inches / 63,360 inches = 1:31,680
(III) 1 inch represents 1 yard
*Convert both distances to the same unit (e.g., inches).
*1 yard = 36 inches
*RF = 1 inch / 36 inches = 1:36
(IV) 1 cm represents 100 meters
*Both distances are already in the same unit (centimeters).
*RF = 1 cm / 100 cm = 1:100
Key points to remember:
*RF is a ratio, not a fraction. It doesn't need to be simplified.
*The units used in the statement of scale don't matter for RF. You can convert to any unit as long as you use the same unit for both distances.
*RF represents the relationship between map distance and ground distance. A larger RF means a smaller scale map (and vice versa).
4. Convert the given Representative Fraction (R. F.) into Statement of
Scale in the System of Measurement shown in parentheses:
(I) 100,000 (into km)
(II) 31680 (into furlongs)
(III) 126,720 (into miles)
(IV) 50,000 (into metres)
Ans: Here are the statements of scale in the requested systems of measurement:
(I) 1:100,000 (into km)
*1 cm on the map represents 100,000 cm on the ground.
*100,000 cm = 1 km
*Statement of scale: 1 cm represents 1 km
(II) 1:31,680 (into furlongs)
*1 inch on the map represents 31,680 inches on the ground.
*31,680 inches = 8 furlongs (1 furlong = 660 feet = 40 rods = 7920 inches)
*Statement of scale: 1 inch represents 8 furlongs
(III) 1:126,720 (into miles)
*1 inch on the map represents 126,720 inches on the ground.
*126,720 inches = 2 miles
*Statement of scale: 1 inch represents 2 miles
(IV) 1:50,000 (into meters)
*1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm on the ground.
*50,000 cm = 500 meters
*Statement of scale: 1 cm represents 500 meters
Key points to remember:
*RF is a ratio, not a fraction. It doesn't need to be simplified.
*The units used in the statement of scale depend on the chosen system of measurement.
*Convert distances as needed to ensure consistency within the statement of scale.
5. Construct a graphical scale when the given R. F. is 1 : 50,000 and read the distances in kilometre and metre.
Answer By: Himashree Bora.
