Scale 1 cm : 2 m, 8 m 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 : 2 m, how long is 8 m in real life on the map?

map → real

The scale means: 1 cm on the map is 2 m for real.

1 cm → 2 m

8 m is how many times 2 m?

8 divided by 2 is 4.

8 ÷ 2 = 4

So it is 4 times the scale.

The map length is 4 times 1 cm too.

4 × 1 cm → 8 m

So on the map it is 4 cm.

4 cm → 8 m

Let's check: go back.

4 times 2 should give the real length, 8.

4 × 2 = 8

We get it again.

So 4 cm is right!

Let's look back.

First: how many times.

Last: check.

Answer

4 cm → 8 m

Try this one yourself, then check:

Scale 1 cm : 3 m. 6 m in real life: on the map?

Show the answer

2 cm