Mind’s On – Terms Review
• What is the purpose of a thematic map? (Ben S)
• What is an example of a general purpose map? (Maddy)
• Name 2 ways maps can simplify the real world? (Jake)
→ symbols and colours
• Why it important to know the publication date of a map?
(Payton W)
• How does Mr. Shields like his coffee? (Ken)
USING MAP SCALES
• Maps require scales to show the relationship between the
distance on a map and the actual distance on the earth’s
surface.
• Scale can be represented in three different ways: direct
statement scale, line scale, and representative fraction
scale.
Direct Statement Scale
• A direct statement scale uses words to describe the
relationship between distance on a map and a specific
distance on the earth’s surface.
• Example: 1cm to 5km
Line Scale
• A line scale is a line
divided into units
that represent the
actual units on the
ground.
Representative Fraction Scale
• A representative
fraction scale is a
ratio (or sometimes a
fraction) of distance
on a map to distance
on the ground.
• Example:
• 1:10000 – Means that
1cm on a map
represents 10000cm
on the earth’s surface.
Activity – Using Scales and Handout
• Complete both sides of the Using Map Scales handout
(you will have to do some simple math!)
How to Make a Map?
• Imagine you are an early explorer and you are the first to
discover a new land. Take a few minutes and make a list
of ways you might try to map it. (No computers, no planes,
etc.)
Using Map Scales Answers
1. What does 1cm to 0.5km mean?
1cm on a map represents 0.5km on the earth’s surface.
2. The direct statement scale of a map is 1cm to 35km. If the map
distance between points A and B is 9cm, what is the real distance?
9 x 35 = 315km
3. The direct statement scale of a map is 1cm to 250km. It two places are
17cm apart on the map, what is the actual distance between them?
17 x 250 = 4250km
4. Using the scale 1cm to 30km, calculate the road distance between
towns X and Y.
7 x 30 = 210km
15.5 x 30 = 465km
9 x 30 = 270km
FIX!
5. Here is a list of distances between Canadian cities.
a) Calgary to Edmonton 299km
b) Fredericton to Montreal 834km
c) Regina to Winnipeg 571km
6. Convert the following representative fraction scale to a direct
statement scale. 1: 63 000 000
1cm = 630km
7. Convert the following direct statement scale to a representative fraction
scale. 1cm to 160km
1: 16 000 000
8. The line scale on a map indicates that 4cm represents 20km. What is the
representative fraction scale?
4cm = 20km
1cm = 5km
1:500 000 or 1/500 000
9. The line scale on a map indicates that 1.5cm represents 50km. What is the
representative fraction scale?
1.5cm = 50km
1cm = 33.3km
1:3 333 333