Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills Map Scale Maps

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale Maps are very useful tools for locating things, determining direction or calculating distances. What? How do you calculate a real or actual distance from a paper map?

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale Calculating real distances… You need two things from your map AND a mathematical formula to determine real distances: • Map Distance – The measured distance on the map • Scale – A ratio (i. e. , each centimetre on the map is how far in real life • Formula – MD/GD = scale where GD is Ground Distance (the real or actual distance)

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale Map Distance (MD) With a ruler, you need to measure the distance ON THE MAP from your starting point to your finishing point. The example shows a trip starting in Istanbul and finishing near the border with Iran. With a ruler, measure the line. This is the distance on the map or Map Distance (MD)

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale is located on the map…usually along a bottom edge Scale is a statement of the relationship between distances on a map (i. e. , Map Distance (MD)) and distances in real life (i. e. , Ground Distance (GD)). As you know, a drawing made according to the scale will be an exact copy of the real object…only smaller. Scale is always presented as a ratio on a map. For example, scale is given as 1: 25, 000 which means 1 cm on a map is 25, 000 cm in real life (or 250 km)

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale Formula The formula for calculating the real distance (i. e. , Ground Distance (GD)) is a ratio. If you know Map Distance (MD) and scale, you can “somehow” combine them to calculate GD. GD =MD X scale

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale GD =MD* scale Example Scale is 1: 37, 000 or 1 cm = 370 km or 1 / 370 MD = 10. 2 cm What is Ground Distance (GD)? GD = 10. 2 X 1 / 370 x = (10. 2)(370) = 3, 374 The Ground Distance is 3, 374 km

Social Studies Geography Mapping Skills – Map Scale MD / GD = scale Try one Scale is 1: 25, 000 or 1 cm = 250 km or 1 / 250 MD = 13. 2 cm What is Ground Distance (GD)? MD / GD = 1 / 250 Let GD = x The Ground Distance is 3, 300 km …right?