Map scale 1 cm : 4 km, 12 km in real life

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Scale drawings and maps · Geometry

Step by step

Question: with the scale 1 cm : 4 km, how long is 12 km in real life on the map?

map → real

The scale means: 1 cm on the map is 4 km for real.

1 cm → 4 km

12 km is how many times 4 km?

12 divided by 4 is 3.

12 ÷ 4 = 3

So it is 3 times the scale.

The map length is 3 times 1 cm too.

3 × 1 cm → 12 km

So on the map it is 3 cm.

3 cm → 12 km

Let's check: go back.

3 times 4 should give the real length, 12.

3 × 4 = 12

We get it again.

So 3 cm is right!

Let's look back.

First: how many times.

Last: check.

Answer

3 cm → 12 km

Try this one yourself, then check:

Scale 1 cm : 4 km. 16 km in real life: on the map?

Show the answer

4 cm