A map has a scale of 1 cm : 21 km. Two cities are 3.1 cm apart on the map. To the nearest tenth of a kilometer, what is the actual distance corresponding to the map distance?

1 Answer
Jun 17, 2017

The two cities are #65.1 km# apart.

Explanation:

The map has a scale of #1 cm:21 km#. That means for every #1# centimeter you measure on the map, you would have to walk, ride, or drive #21 km# to cover the distance in the area represented by the map.

OR

A map has a scale of #1 cm : 21 km.# Suppose you are carrying the map of the location you are travelling in, and you have a method of measuring the distance you have travelled. As soon as you travel #21 km# you can mark off #1 cm# on the map. you can repeat this for every #21 km# segments that you travel.

OR

Consider the map to be a satellite picture view of the countryside you are travelling in that has been reduced in size to fit into your phone. The picture has a scale of 1 cm : 21 km.

If the two cities are 3.1 cm apart, it means that in real life they are:

#3.1xx21 km=65.1 km# apart.