A map has a scale of 1:40,000. Two cities, A and B, are 12.5 cm apart on the map. Calculate the real distance between the cities in kilometres, showing all calculations.

Step-by-step solution

1. Step 1: Write the scale as a ratio: 1 cm on the map represents 40,000 cm in reality.
2. Step 2: Convert map distance to real distance: $12.5\text{ cm}\times 40,000=500,000\text{ cm}$.
3. Step 3: Convert centimetres to metres: $500,000\text{ cm}=5,000\text{ m}$.
4. Step 4: Convert metres to kilometres: $5,000\text{ m}=5\text{ km}$.
5. Thus, the real distance between A and B is 5 kilometres.

Concept tested: Map scale to real distance

Published 7 October 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked