A map of a local park has a scale of 1 : 25 000. On the map, the distance between the playground and the lake is shown as 5 cm. How far apart are the playground and the lake in the real park, in kilometres?
Answer
1.25 km
The correct answer is 1.25 km — Hence the real distance is 1.25 km.
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the scale: 1 cm on the map equals 25 000 cm (or 250 m) in reality.
- Multiply the map distance by the real‑world conversion: 5 cm × 250 m/cm = 1250 m.
- Convert metres to kilometres: 1250 m ÷ 1000 = 1.25 km.
- Hence the real distance is 1.25 km.
Common mistake: Multiplying the map distance by the scale factor instead of dividing (or confusing cm with m).
Concept tested: Map scale conversion
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
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