Grade 7 Social Studies
Geography Unit: Scale
Checklist
 Scale Worksheets – complete note and exercises
 Scale Assignment 1 (Nystrom Atlas)
 Scale Assignment 2 (Nystrom Atlas)
 Scale Test
Scale
 A scale is a statement of the _____________between distances on a map and distances in
_______________.
 A drawing that is made according to scale will be an _______________ of the real object, but
will be smaller or larger than the real object.
 Scale drawings are often used in real life because they are very accurate, including in
_________, _______________, and architectural models.
Section A: Three Types of Scale
There are three different ways to write scale.
1.
Scale
ex. 1 cm = 8 km
A stated scale says exactly how
much distance is represented by
1 cm, in this case, 8 km.
It is the most useful scale for
________________________.
2.
Scale
A linear scale is usually present on most maps. It tells us
how much __________________ represents a certain real
distance.
For example, the scale shows the map distance that equals
10 kilometers in __________________.
3.
Scale
ex. 1 : 25 000 000
A ratio scale will almost always be found on maps.
It is very ________________.
In this example we can see that 1 unit on the map represents
25 000 000 units in real life.
So, 1 cm = 25 000 000 cm
and 1 m = 25 000 000 m, etc.
Distances such as 25 000 000 cm are very difficult to imagine.
So, we usually change a ratio scale into a stated scale. In this
example, we would use the ____________
_______________ to help us change the ratio scale of
1:25 000 000 into a stated scale of 1 cm = 250 km.
1 cm = 8 km
Section B:
Review
The metric system is based on powers of 10. To change from centimetres into kilometres you
just need to divide by 10 the correct number of times. Or, you just need to move the
___________________ the correct number of spaces to the left.
Quick Method of
Units
To change cm into km, move your decimal five places to the left.
ex. 550 000 cm = 5.5 km
Practice 1. Make the following conversions using the shortcut method.
a) 27 000 cm =
b) 330 000 cm =
km
km
Section C: Changing from
c) 7 500 cm =
d) 2 426 000 cm =
Scale to
km
km
Scale
It is easiest to calculate distance using a Stated Scale, but most maps don’t include Stated Scales.
So, to change Ratio Scale into Stated Scale, do the following.
1. Write the Ratio Scale.
 1:550 000
2. Change it to a Stated Scale.
 1 cm = 550 000 cm
3. Change the Stated Scale Units from cm into km, by moving your decimal
______________ to the left.
 1 cm = 5.5 km
Practice 2. Find the ratio scale of the map in the Nystrom Atlas and change it to a stated scale.
Ex. p108
1 : 17 400 000
1 cm = 17 400 000 cm
1 cm = 174 km
a) p40
b) p49
c) p64
d) p96
Section D: Solving scale questions using
.
Now that you know how to change a ratio scale into a stated scale, you can calculate the real
distance between two places shown on a map. To do so though, you need to know how to crossmultiply.
Practice 3. Solve these questions using cross-multiplication.
a)
1 4

5 x
Section E:
b)
1 12

40 x
c)
1
25

350
x
d)
1
300

4500
x
to Calculate Real Distance
Now, you are ready to calculate the real distances between places shown on a map by following
these five simple steps.
Step A.
Step B.
Step C.
Step D.
Find the ____________________.
_____________ the ratio scale into a stated scale.
_______________ the ____________________ in cm.
Use cross-multiplication to solve this _________: scale (cm) = map distance (cm)
scale (km) real distance (km)
Step E. Write a _________________ (a therefore statement). Include the _________________.
Example:
Page 100-101 (Political Relief Map of Northern Africa).
Example: Find the distance from Dakar to Algiers.
Step A 1:24 500 000
Step B 1 cm = 245 km
Step C m.d. = 13.8 cm
Step D scale (cm) = map distance (cm)
scale (km) real distance (km)
1 cm = 13.8 cm
245 km
x
1(x) = (13.8)(245)
x = 3381 km
Step E  Dakar, Senegal is 3381 km from Algiers, Algeria.
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Scale Assignments
Instructions: Use all of these steps to calculate real distances:
Step A. Find the ratio scale.
Step B. Change the ratio scale into a stated scale.
Step C. Measure the map distance in cm.
Step D. Solve the following equation:
scale (cm) = map distance (cm)
scale (km) real distance (km)
Step E. Write a therefore statement. Include the country names.
Example: Find the distance from Dakar to Algiers.
Step A 1:24 500 000
Step B 1 cm = 245 km
Step C m.d. = 13.8 cm
Step D scale (cm) = map distance (cm)
scale (km) real distance (km)
1 cm = 13.8 cm
245 km
x
1(x) = (13.8)(245)
x = 3381 km
Step E  Dakar, Senegal is 3381 km from Algiers, Algeria.
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Scale Assignment 1
/20
Calculate the following distances between capital cities using the map of Brazil and its
neighbours (p95). Complete all work on the answer sheets that are provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bogota to Asuncion
Asuncion to Montevideo
Montevideo to Brasilia
Brasilia to Paramaribo
Scale Assignment 2
Calculate the following distances between capital cities using the map of Southern Asia
(p132). Complete all work on the answer sheets that are provided.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Dushanbe to Islamabad
Islamabad to Dhaka
Dhaka to Kathmandu
Kathmandu to New Delhi
/20
Name:
Block:
Date:
/20
Scale Assignment #
Question #1
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #2
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #3
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #4
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Answers
Name:
Block:
Date:
/20
Scale Assignment #
Question #1
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #2
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #3
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Question #4
Step A
Step B
Step C
Step D
Step E
Answers