Direction and Scale
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Learning objectives
What is scale and how is it shown on a map?
How are bearings measured?
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What is a scale?
Anyone who has ever used a map to find
their way, will know the importance of a scale.
Knowing which direction to travel in is only part
of using a map. To know how far it is to your
destination, you need to use the map’s scale.
Scale is the ratio of objects
on the map to the real world.
For example on a map with
the scale 4cm:1km, four
centimetres on the map
is used to represent one
kilometre in the real world.
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Using scale on a map
Any method of estimating distance on a map requires the
use of a scale.
X
Y
How far is it
The scale for
from the X to
this map is
the Y?
4 cm : 1 km
Each one of
these grid boxes
is 4 cm wide and
long. This is
equivalent to 1 km
in distance.
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We can
estimate a
distance of 4 km.
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Map measuring
But this is more difficult if the two points are like this…
Here we
measure
diagonally.
X
Imagine the
distance is
16 cm.
Now we
need to do
some maths.
Y
Using a ruler, measure the
distance between the two points.
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Calculating distance using a scale
The scale on the map was:
4 cm:1 km
This means that:
4 cm
1 km
8 cm
2 km
12 cm
3 km
16 cm
4 km
If our distance was
16 cm how many kms is it?
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The answer would be
4 km.
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Measuring and calculating scale
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Scale lines
We can also show scale on a map by using a scale line.
0
1km
1) What is the distance
between the train station
in Swanage and the end
of Peveril Point?
2) What is the distance
between the Town Hall
and the woodland north
of the groynes?
Peveril Point
0
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1km
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Find the treasure
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Make your own map
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Learning objectives
What is scale and how is it shown on a map?
How are bearings measured?
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Compass rose
How can we remember the points of the compass?
‘Never eat shredded wheat!’
Now think of your own slogan.
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Bearings
You want to walk from your house
(‘1’) to your friend's house by the
beach (‘2’).
What bearing do you need to take?
Easy Guide to Bearings!
1. Draw a north line from your starting point.
2. Join your starting point to your destination with a
straight line.
3. Put the line of your protractor on the north line
with the middle of it on the starting point.
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Finding your bearings
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Finding your bearings
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