Maps and scale drawings
Select Lesson
Statistics
Probability
Trigonometry
Properties of shapes
Shapes
Rates of change
Other graphs
Straight line graphs
Formulae and equations
Algebraic manipulation
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Number calculations
Explainer Video
Summary
Maps and scale drawings
In a nutshell
Reading maps and scale drawings requires using ratio to find out the actual distance in real life compared to the scaled distance on the map.
Scaling
Maps have to be drawn accurately to be useful. However, they are much smaller than what they are trying to map! The way that maps stay accurate despite the size difference is through scaling.
Scaling gives the real life distance in proportion to a length of on the map. The scaling is usually displayed like this:
This means centimetre on the map corresponds to kilometres in real life.
Example 1
A map has a scale of
i) Two places on the map are apart. How far apart are they in real life?
ii) Two locations are apart. How far apart are they on the map?
Part i)
First, write down the scaling:
Multiply both sides by to find out what length corresponds to:
The two places are apart in real life.
Part ii)
Write down the scaling:
Divide both sides by to find what corresponds to on the map:
Multiply both sides by to find what corresponds to on the map:
The two locations are apart on the map.
Compass directions
Compass directions are important when reading maps. It is helpful to memorise the 8 directions.
 | (N)orth (E)ast (S)outh (W)est
(N)orth (E)ast (S)outh (E)ast (S)outh (W)est (N)orth (W)est |
Scale drawings
Scale drawings work the same way as maps do - with a scale factor.
Example 2
A scale drawing of a house is drawn on squared paper. One square has side length . If the scaling is , how tall is the actual house (including the flag)?
Find how tall the scale drawing is:
The height of the drawing is squares.
One square is long.
Hence, the scale drawing is in height.
Use the scaling to find out how tall the actual house is:
The actual house is tall, including the flag.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a scale drawing?
A scale drawing is a smaller version of an object with a consistent scale for sizing.
What are compass directions?
Compass directions are directions that are found on a compass: north, east, south and west.
How do you use maps to find the distance between 2 places?
Measure the distance on the map and use the scaling to turn the map distance into the actual distance.